41. Epidural analgesia has been started for a client who is experiencing chronic pain that is unrelieved by other methods. Proper positioning of the client should include:
Select all that apply.
41. Epidural analgesia has been started for a client who is experiencing chronic pain that is unrelieved by other methods. Proper positioning of the client should include:
Select all that apply.
. Side-lying, semi-Fowler's.
. Supine, head of bed flat, thin pillow.
. Side-lying, head of bed flat.
. High Fowler's, supine.
. Prone.
Test-Taking Tip
Eliminate the two answers with "flat." Picture "prone" and eliminate Answer 5. Choose the two answers that maximize analgesia without affecting the respiratory muscles.
Content Area: Adult Health, Pain Control; Integrated Process: Nursing Process, Implementation; Cognitive Level: Application; Client Need/Subneed: Physiological Integrity/Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies/Pharmacological Pain Management
. .
Answer 1 is correct because the client's head is elevated, which prevents the analgesia from affecting the respiratory muscles. Answer 2 is incorrect because the client's head needs to be elevated, not flat, to prevent the drug from affecting the respiratory muscles. Answer 3 is incorrect because the client's head needs to be elevated, not flat, to prevent the drug from affecting the respiratory muscles. Answer 4 is correct because head elevation prevents migration of the drug toward the respiratory muscles. Answer 5 is incorrect because the client's head needs to be elevated and not face down, to prevent the drug from affecting the respiratory muscles.