Question

A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving an epidural block with an opioid analgesic. The nurse should monitor for which of the following findings as an adverse effect of the medication?

A. Hypnosis

B. Polyuria

C. Bilateral crackles

Hyperglycemia

Answer 1

Epidural block with an Opioid analgesic:

Opioid analgesic are used intrathecally to achieve the pain management. Epidural analgesia is an effective and safe measure to manage pain in many patients. The nurse has to monitor the side effects of Morphine, when used for an  Epidural block.  

Answer: Hypnosis ( Option A)

Hypnosis is an Adverse effect of Opioid analgesic , when administering as an Epidural block. Closely monitoring the Sedation score is an important nursing responsibility while checking the adverse effect of Opioid analgesic. She has to use Ramsay scale to assess the level of hypnosis or sedation, then report to the Doctor.  

Other options are wrong:

Option B: Polyuria: Urinary retention can occur as an Adverse effect of epidural analgesia, not polyuria. Polyuria is the condition of increased urination.  

Option C: Bilateral crackles while assessing Respiratory system is an indication of excessive fluids in the airways that may be present in the condition such as pneumonia, congestive heart failure.  

Option D: Hyperglycemia , it is condition of abnormally increased blood glucose level. It rarely occurs in people , who recieve epidurals. But it may depend on several factors like the existing medical disorder or steroid injections etc.