Exam 26: Local Anesthetics

A nurse is assisting the physician during a procedure in which a local anesthetic is administered. Within a few minutes of administration of the anesthetic, the patient has a pulse of 54 beats/min, respirations of 18 breaths per minute, and a blood pressure of 90/42 mm Hg. The nurse should monitor the patient for further signs of:

A nurse is caring for a patient in the immediate postoperative period after surgery in which a spinal anesthetic was used. The patient has not voided and complains of headache. The patient has a pulse of 62 beats/min, a respiratory rate of 16 breaths per minute, and a blood pressure of 92/48 mm Hg. Which action by the nurse is appropriate?

A nurse is preparing a patient to go home from the emergency department after receiving sutures for a laceration on one hand. The provider used lidocaine with epinephrine as a local anesthetic. Which symptom in this patient causes the most concern?

A nurse is teaching a group of nursing students about local anesthetics. Which statement by a student reflects an understanding of the teaching?

A nurse is teaching a patient who has a second-degree burn on one arm about the use of a topical anesthetic for pain. Which statement by the patient indicates understanding of the teaching?

A nurse is assisting a physician who is performing a circumcision on a newborn. The physician asks the nurse to prepare lidocaine and epinephrine for injection to provide anesthesia. What will the nurse do?

Which are important considerations when spinal anesthesia is being administered?

A nurse is discussing the use of cocaine as a local anesthetic with a nursing student. Which statement by the student indicates understanding of this agent?

A nurse is assisting a physician who is preparing to suture a superficial laceration on a patient's leg. The physician asks the nurse to draw up lidocaine with epinephrine. The nurse understands that epinephrine is used with the lidocaine to:

A patient receives an epidural anesthetic during labor and delivery. The nurse caring for the newborn in the immediate postpartum period will observe the infant for:

Vasoconstrictors are combined with local anesthetics for which reasons?