A nurse is teaching a patient about patient-controlled analgesia (PCA). Which

statement made by the patient indicates to the nurse that teaching is effective?

a. “I will only need to be on this pain medication.”

b. “I feel less anxiety about the possibility of overdosing.”

c. “I can receive the pain medication as frequently as I need to.”

d. “I need the nurse to notify me when it is time for another dose.”

ANS: B

A PCA is a device that allows the patient to determine the level of pain relief

delivered, reducing the risk of overdose. The PCA infusion pumps are designed to

deliver a specific dose that is programmed to be available at specific time intervals

(usually in the range of 8 to 15 minutes) when the patient activates the delivery

button. A limit on the number of doses per hour or 4-hour interval may also be set.

This can help decrease a patient’s anxiety related to possible overdose. Its use also

often eases anxiety because the patient is not reliant on the nurse for pain relief.

Other medications, such as oral analgesics, can be given in addition to the PCA

machine. One benefit of PCA is that the patient does not need to rely on the nurse

to administer pain medication; the patient determines when to take the medication.

10.A nurse is caring for a patient who is experiencing pain following abdominal

surgery. Which information is important for the nurse to share with the patient when

providing patient education about effective pain management?

“To prevent overdose, you need to wait to ask for pain medication

a. until you begin to experience pain.”

“You should take your medication after you walk to make sure you do

b. not fall while you are walking.”

“We should work together to create a schedule to provide regular

c. dosing of medication.”

“When you experience severe pain, you will need to take oral pain

d. medications.”