Question

Explain the administration process, benefits or negative side effects, and the nurse's role in providing safe, quality patient care for a patient with Epidural Block

Answer 1

Epidural:

An epidural block is administered as regional anesthesia to provide a local anesthetic effect on the particular parts of the body. It provides anesthetic effect by blocking nerve impulses and thereby decrease the pain sensation.

Administration process:

The patient has to lie down on the left side and bend forward so that the back has to be in the arch position. The mid-back area has to be cleaned with an antiseptic solution. Then the local anesthesia has been injected to numb the part. Then the needle has to be inserted into the spinal cord whereby the small rubber catheter has been placed into it, then the needle has been removed. Then the continuous infusion has passed through the catheter which is secured at the back safely.

Benefits:

• Prolonged pain relief
• Regional anesthesia makes you be active and alert.
• Low risk of infection.
• Limited restrictions.
• Helpful for a speedy recovery.

Negative side effects:

• Headache
• sudden fall of blood pressure
• Allergic to medication.
• Damage to blood vessels.
• Numbness of the body
• Nerve damage.

Nurses' role:

• Monitor the patient's vital signs.
• Assess the level of pain perception and relief.
• Assess the level of consciousness.
• Assess the level of mobility and daily activities.
• Assess the infusion site and dose of infusion.
• Change the infusion bag with a new bag based on the orders.
• Assess the side effects of the medication.
• Educate the patient about the benefits and effects of the epidural block.
• Remove the catheter safely as per the order.
• Document the assessment and clinical status of the patient.