Question

A 17 year old woman is admitted to labor and delivery having contractions every 2-3 minutes lasting 45 seconds and she is asking for something for the pain. The anesthesiologist is planning to administer an epidural. What are some of the things the nurse must consider before the patient is started on an epidural and what are some of the potential complications?

Answer 1

Things to consider  

1) regularly blood pressure check up. Because epidural decrease blood suply to baby

2) before epidural have a drip of fluifluids put into arm

3) ask the female to sit up and bend forward over pillow or lie on side, as this makes the easier for the needle to be inserted into right space

4) ask the female to stay still

Complications

A) epidural mmay cause blood pressure to suddenly drop.

B) may experience severe headache because of leakage of spinal fluid but chances are very less

C) after epidural is placed, there is need of alternate sisides changes and continuous monitoring of fetal heart. Lying in one position can stop or slow down labor

D) shivering, backache , soreness where needle is inserted , nausea or difficult urination

E) numbness of lower part of body for few hours even after birth