Which adverse effects should the nurse monitor for in a patient who has just received epidural anesthesia?

Monitoring for hypotension is critical after a patient receives epidural anesthesia due to the potential effects on the autonomic nervous system. Epidural anesthesia involves the injection of anesthetic agents into the epidural space, which can block sympathetic nerve fibers, leading to vasodilation and decreased vascular resistance. This vasodilation can cause blood pressure to drop, resulting in hypotension.

Additionally, hypotension can lead to reduced uteroplacental blood flow, which is particularly concerning in a maternity setting, as it may affect fetal well-being. Therefore, nurses should closely monitor blood pressure during the immediate post-administration phase of epidural anesthetics, ensuring that appropriate interventions are readily available should significant hypotension occur.

The other options do not carry the same risk in this context. For instance, hypertension is less commonly associated with epidural anesthesia because of its tendency to cause blood vessel dilation. Bradycardia, while it can occur, is not as commonly monitored as hypotension in this setting. Hyperglycemia is also not a direct concern resulting from the administration of epidural anesthesia. Thus, hypotension is the primary concern that needs vigilant monitoring after such an intervention.