Ricardo is scheduled for a prostatectomy, and the anesthesiologist plans to use a spinal (subarachnoid) block during surgery. In the operating room, the nurse positions the client according to the anesthesiologist’s instructions. Why does the client require special positioning for this type of anesthesia?
A. To prevent confusion.
B. To prevent seizures.
C. To prevent cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage.
D. To prevent cardiac arrhythmias.
Correct Answer: C. To prevent cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage
The client receiving a subarachnoid block requires special positioning to prevent CSF leakage and headache and to ensure proper anesthetic distribution.
Option A: Anesthetics are well known to cause confusion, but this typically decreases as the body processes the medications and removes them from circulation.
Option B: Generalized seizure as a complication following epidural anesthesia has been reported, but rarely following spinal anesthesia.
Option D: The incidence of arrhythmias, as well as hypotension during spinal anesthesia, is higher for Cesarean section mostly.