A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client about using a PCA for postoperative pain management.
Which of the following statements should the nurse make?

Choice A rationale:

Constipation is not a common adverse effect of pain medication administered by the epidural route. Pain medication primarily affects the central nervous system and does not typically impact the gastrointestinal system in a way that would lead to constipation.

Choice B rationale:

Hypoventilation is the correct answer. When opioids or other potent pain medications are administered by the epidural route, they can depress the respiratory center in the brain, leading to hypoventilation (slow or inadequate breathing). This is a critical concern and the most important adverse effect to monitor because it can lead to respiratory compromise or even respiratory arrest.

Choice C rationale:

Nausea can be a side effect of some pain medications, but it is not the most important adverse effect to monitor in a patient receiving epidural pain medication. Nausea can often be managed with antiemetic medications.

Choice D rationale:

Headache is not a common adverse effect of epidural pain medication. The administration of pain medication into the epidural space is localized to the spinal area and does not typically lead to headaches.

Choice A rationale:

Going to bed hungry or overly full can interfere with sleep. When you're too hungry, your body may be uncomfortable and unable to relax, making it difficult to fall asleep. Conversely, going to bed overly full can lead to discomfort, and indigestion, and may result in disrupted sleep. Therefore, it does not help the patient reach REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep faster.

Choice B rationale:

Overeating or going to bed hungry does not aid in reaching REM sleep faster. It is essential for individuals to have a balanced diet and avoid excessive hunger or fullness to promote a healthy sleep pattern. REM sleep is a stage of deep sleep that occurs cyclically throughout the night, and it is influenced by various factors, including individual sleep patterns and circadian rhythms.

Choice C rationale:

REM sleep, a stage of deep sleep, is not influenced by going to bed hungry or overly full. Instead, it is primarily regulated by the body's internal clock and sleep-wake cycles. Factors such as hunger or fullness may affect the quality of sleep but do not contribute to reaching REM sleep faster.

Choice D rationale:

False. Going to bed hungry or overly full does not have a direct impact on the patient's ability to reach REM sleep faster. REM sleep is a natural part of the sleep cycle and is influenced by various factors, such as circadian rhythms, sleep disorders, and medications, but not by the state of hunger or fullness.