Regional

  • patient requires sedation and will require a driver over the age of 18 (not him or herself)
  • patient requires 24 hours of family or friend over the age of 18 for observation
  • the anesthestized area will resolve in 6-12 hours (sometimes the anesthestic lasts longer)
  • the anesthetized extremity may feel warmer than other areas and have a darker red to increase blood flow
  • the anesthetized area should have normal capillary refill and turgor
  • nausea may occur due to the anesthetics used for sedation or the narcotic pain medicine
  • nausea is common and an anti-nausea medication can be prescribed (antiemetic)
  • take the antiemetic medication 30 minutes prior to the narcotic pain medicine
  • surgery requiring a regional anesthetic should begin taking pain medicine prior to resolution of the “block”