A nurse is caring for a client who has breast cancer and is postoperative following a bilateral mastectomy. Which of the following statements indicates the client has an altered body image?

Rationale:

A. Tachypnea: An increased respiratory rate is not commonly associated with epidural anesthesia and is not a typical adverse effect. It may result from anxiety or pain but does not directly indicate a problem with the epidural.

B. Hyperreflexia: Epidurals often reduce sensation and reflexes, not heighten them. Hyperreflexia is not expected and would not be a direct adverse effect of epidural administration during labor.

C. Hypothermia: While mild temperature changes may occur, hypothermia is not a common or significant adverse effect of epidural anesthesia. It is not typically monitored as a key complication.

D. Hypotension: Epidural anesthesia can cause vasodilation by blocking sympathetic nerve fibers, leading to a drop in maternal blood pressure. This is a well-known and common adverse effect requiring close monitoring and potential intervention.

Rationale:

A. Decreased creatine kinase-MB: CK-MB is a cardiac enzyme that rises within 4–6 hours of myocardial infarction and peaks around 24 hours. A decrease in CK-MB would not indicate acute myocardial injury and is not a diagnostic marker in this case.

B. Decrease in respiratory rate: A lower respiratory rate is not a typical or reliable indicator of myocardial infarction. Clients experiencing an MI are more likely to show signs of dyspnea, anxiety, or increased respiratory effort due to pain or decreased oxygenation.

C. ST segment depression: ST segment depression may indicate myocardial ischemia or a non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), but it is less specific than biomarkers like troponin. It may also appear in other conditions such as angina or electrolyte imbalances.

D. Increased troponin I: Troponin I is a highly specific and sensitive cardiac biomarker that rises within 3–6 hours of myocardial injury. An elevated troponin I level 6 hours after the onset of chest pain strongly supports the diagnosis of myocardial infarction.