Select the action by the nurse that has the highest priority in the care of several clients who are receiving postoperative pain management by epidural analgesia on the surgical unit.
A)Change the IV tubing with each bag of medication.
B)Keep the head of the bed elevated 30 degrees to prevent hypotension.
C)Monitor peripheral pulses every 2 hours.
D)Assess for movement and sensation of the feet and legs each shift.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Assessing for movement and sensation of the feet and legs is the highest priority action for a client with epidural analgesia as it indicates if the catheter has migrated or if there is any sign of neurotoxicity. This assessment should be done at least every shift to ensure client safety. Changing IV tubing with each bag of medication, keeping the head of the bed elevated, and monitoring peripheral pulses are important interventions, but they are not as high a priority as assessing for neurotoxicity.

Select the Action by the Nurse That Has the Highest