A nurse is caring for an adolescent who is postoperative following epidural anesthesia. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

A. Mild sedation: While some sedation can occur with epidural anesthesia, it is generally minimal since epidurals target nerve roots rather than the central nervous system directly. Sedation is not the most common expected postoperative finding. B. Respiratory depression: Respiratory depression is a serious but less common complication of epidural anesthesia, especially if opioids are used epidurally. The nurse should monitor for it, but it is not an expected normal finding. C. Hypertension: Epidural anesthesia typically causes vasodilation and can lead to hypotension rather than hypertension. Elevated blood pressure is not expected post-epidural. D. Urinary retention: Urinary retention is a common effect after epidural anesthesia due to blockade of sacral nerve fibers controlling bladder function. This can lead to decreased bladder sensation and impaired voiding, requiring catheterization if retention persists.