Chapter 35, Problem 14PFN

Summary Introduction

The epidural analgesia is mainly used as short-term relief when the patient experiences acute pain. The drugs like hydromorphone act rapidly within 5 minutes and extends for 2 hours, while morphine is used for slower onset action that gives relief for over 24 hours. While long-term epidural analgesia is given by placing a catheter placed inside the spinal cord that directly delivering the drug to the opioid receptors that gives long-term pain relief to patients with chronic pain.