A nurse is contributing to the plan of care for a client experiencing headaches following administration of spinal anesthesia for spinal surgery. Which action is appropriate?

A nurse is contributing to the plan of care for a client experiencing headaches following administration of spinal anesthesia for spinal surgery. Which action is appropriate?

• A. Encourage intake of fluids
• B. Administer analgesics as prescribed
• C. Keep NPO until symptoms resolve
• D. Apply cold compress to the head

Answer: (A)

Headache after spinal anesthesia often results from a CSF leak at the puncture site, leading to low CSF pressure and pain that worsens when upright. The best initial action is to encourage fluids because hydration helps increase CSF volume and can reduce the intensity of the post-dural puncture headache. While analgesics can relieve pain and keeping the patient NPO would not support treatment, and a cold compress may offer some comfort, neither addresses the underlying CSF loss as effectively as ensuring adequate fluids.

Headache after spinal anesthesia often results from a CSF leak at the puncture site, leading to low CSF pressure and pain that worsens when upright. The best initial action is to encourage fluids because hydration helps increase CSF volume and can reduce the intensity of the post-dural puncture headache. While analgesics can relieve pain and keeping the patient NPO would not support treatment, and a cold compress may offer some comfort, neither addresses the underlying CSF loss as effectively as ensuring adequate fluids.