A patient undergoing spinal surgery is receiving low-dose intravenous lidocaine prior to surgery.The patient reports being lightheaded and having numbness in his tongue.What nursing action is indicated?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The patient is experiencing side effects of lidocaine and therefore discontinuing the drip is the best nursing action. Increasing the rate of the lidocaine can worsen the symptoms, giving a normal saline bolus may not be necessary as the patient is not hypovolemic, and starting intravenous lipids is not indicated for these symptoms.

A Patient Undergoing Spinal Surgery Is Receiving Low-Dose Intravenous Lidocaine