A 29-year-old female client in labor has just received epidural anesthesia. Before the procedure her blood pressure was 120/78 a
nd her pulse was 60 bpm. Now her blood pressure is 100/60 and her pulse is 80 bpm. She reports a metallic taste in her mouth, hears a ringing in her ears, and appears confused. What is this client most likely experiencing?
The client is experiencing systemic toxicity as a result of the local anesthesia.
Explanation:
There are several side effects associated with injecting local anesthesia, which varies from person to person. However, symptoms of mild toxicity from local anesthesia include a ringing in the ears, a metallic taste in the mouth, and perioral numbness. Thus the patient is just experiencing systemic toxicity from the local anesthesia.
