Nursing management of patients receiving epidural narcotics

Epidural analgesia is an important intervention in patients with pain after surgery. This article presents a brief overview of the anatomy of the epidural space and the physiology of pain transmission, including the action of narcotics in pain relief. The importance of written nursing protocols and in-service education for nursing staff members is discussed as being a necessary prerequisite for the safe use of epidural analgesia. A flow diagram with rationale illustrates the epidural injection technique. Nursing care of patients receiving epidural narcotics is detailed. The discussion emphasizes the management of potential side effects from epidural narcotics (respiratory depression, urinary retention, pruritus, pain on injection, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting) and includes information on the use of a narcotic antagonist. Recommendations are made for preoperative and postoperative teaching of the patient and family. A variety of tools for assessing patients' pain levels are described, and a comprehensive nursing care plan with nursing diagnoses and nursing interventions is provided.