title: Spinal anatomy and the use of epidurals.
abstract: Epidurals can be used to provide analgesia or anaesthesia. Nurses should be aware of the main contraindications to epidurals and of the complications that may arise.
authors.affiliation: Day Surgery Unit, Bedford Hospital.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chapman
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Day
mesh_terms: D000767:Anesthesia, Epidural / Q000451:nursing*; D006801:Humans; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000502:physiology