Word parts
What it means
A type of regional anesthesiaan-us-THEE-zhuhLoss of feeling or sensation, often brought on by drugs so that surgery or a procedure can be done without pain.an- withoutesthesi/o feeling, sensation-ia conditionFull entry . A provider places a small catheter in the lower back into the epidural space, and a local anesthetican-us-THET-ikA drug that causes loss of feeling, with or without loss of consciousness.an- withoutesthesi/o feeling, sensation-ic relating toFull entry , often with an opioid, flows through it to block pain signals from the lower body. It is widely used for labor and some surgery. The client stays awake, and the medicine can be given continuously or in doses.
For the nurse
The most common side effect is low blood pressure, so an IV fluid bolus is often given before placement, and blood pressure is checked often afterward. Also watch for itching, nausea, urinary retention, and numbness or weakness in the legs; keep the client in bed until movement returns and check for a full bladder. In labor, monitor the fetal heart rate.
In a chart
"Epidural placed at 0410; BP 88/50 at 0425, client turned to left side, IV bolus given, anesthesia provider notified."
At a glance
| Spanish | anestesia epidural |
|---|---|
| Also written | epidural, epidural analgesia, epidurals |
Related terms
hypotension
Blood pressure lower than normal, generally below 90/60 mm Hg in an adult.
anesthetic
A drug that causes loss of feeling, with or without loss of consciousness.
uterine contraction
A tightening and then relaxing of the muscle of the uterus (womb), as happens during labor.
anesthesia
Loss of feeling or sensation, often brought on by drugs so that surgery or a procedure can be done without pain.