Patient Controlled Epidural Analgesia (Pcea) Post-test
Test your knowledge on PCEA.
- 1.Prior to ambulating a patient with a PCEA, you should:
- A.
Assess their lower extremities for any further changes in sensory/ motor function and notify the anesthesiologist of his symptoms, i.e., heaviness, numbness, or other changes.
- B.
Stop the epidural infusion prior to ambulating the patient
- C.
Not worry about these symptoms
- D.
Notify the anesthesiologist immediately
- 2.When a patient is receiving PCEA infusion:
- A.
Anticoagulants may be given without the anesthesiologist’s consent
- B.
Systemic narcotics need not be consented by the anesthesiologist
- C.
The surgeon or anesthesiologist will specify the exact time when anticoagulants can begin after catheter removal
- D.
None of the above
- E.
All of the above
- 3.Which one do you like? 1. If an epidural catheter is inserted at the bedside on the unit,
- A.
The epidural cart/ bag must be present
- B.
The anesthesiologist tech must be present to support placement
- C.
The anesthesiologist will remain at the bedside until the patient is stable
- D.
None of the above
- E.
All of the above except D
- 4.During your shift you need to assess and document the following :
- A.
Site & dressing condition, flow/patency, & safety assessment Q shift; vital signs, pain, neurological, & respiratory assessment, adverse effects, & verification of settings (and EtCO2 If ordered) Q4H
- B.
Site & dressing condition, flow/patency, & safety assessment Q shift, vital signs, pain, neurological, & respiratory assessment, adverse effects, & verification of settings (and EtCO2 If ordered) Q8H
- C.
PCEA charting is the same as PCA charting
- D.
Site & dressing condition, flow/patency, & safety assessment Q8H, vital signs, EtCO2, pain, neurological, & respiratory assessment, adverse effects, & verification of settings (and EtCO2 if ordered) Q2H
- 5.Signs and symptoms that may be observed during an epidural emergency are:
- A.
Diminished or loss of consciousness
- B.
Respiratory distress or arrest
- C.
Cardiac arrest
- D.
Severe symptomatic hypotension
- E.
A & B only
- F.
All of the above (A,B,C,D)
- 6.A sudden increase in a patient’s sedation level may be due to the migration of the epidural catheter into the spinal space.
- A.
True
- B.
False
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