LESI LESI Post-Procedure Care and Outcomes

Question 1

How long should patients typically be observed in recovery after an LESI before discharge?

Accepted Answer

15-30 minutes

Answer

5-10 minutes

Answer

2-4 hours

Answer

Overnight admission

Question 2

Patients should be instructed to avoid which activity for 24 hours following LESI?

Accepted Answer

Driving or operating heavy machinery

Answer

Taking oral medications

Answer

Drinking water

Answer

Sleeping on their back

Question 3

Which outcome measure is most commonly used to assess pain relief following LESI in clinical practice?

Accepted Answer

Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) or Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain intensity

Answer

Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) only

Answer

EMG/nerve conduction studies

Answer

Serum inflammatory marker (CRP) levels

Question 4

What is the appropriate response if a patient calls 48 hours post-ESI reporting worsening back pain and a fever of 101.5°F?

Accepted Answer

Direct immediately to emergency department for urgent evaluation to exclude epidural abscess

Answer

Prescribe oral antibiotics over the phone and reassure

Answer

Advise ice application and reassure that this is normal steroid flare

Answer

Reschedule for a repeat injection in one week

Question 5

After an ESI, when is the optimal time to assess whether the injection was clinically effective?

Accepted Answer

2-4 weeks after injection (allowing full steroid effect)

Answer

Immediately upon leaving the procedure room

Answer

12 months after injection

Answer

Only after three injections in a series

Question 6

A patient reports complete pain relief for 3 weeks after their first LESI but pain gradually returns. What is the recommended next step?

Accepted Answer

Consider a repeat injection if clinically appropriate within the recommended annual limit

Answer

Proceed directly to surgical consultation

Answer

Prescribe long-term opioid therapy

Answer

Discontinue all treatment as the patient failed ESI