Final answer:
The nurse should monitor for respiratory depression while managing a patient with an epidural infusion, as it is crucial to ensure the patient's safety and proper breathing.
Step-by-step explanation:
A nurse caring for a client with an epidural infusion for pain management should primarily monitor for respiratory depression because opioids and anesthetics delivered epidurally can depress the central nervous system, potentially leading to reduced respiratory drive. The nurse should assess the patient's respiratory status regularly and be prepared to intervene if there are signs of respiratory distress. Encouraging ambulation every hour might not be safe or appropriate depending on the patient's condition and the effects of the epidural, and oral analgesics may not be necessary if the epidural is managing the pain effectively. The epidural dressing typically is changed more frequently than weekly to maintain sterility and assess the insertion site for signs of infection or other complications.