Question

the nurse is caring for a 15-year-old adolescent receiving patient-controlled analgesia (pca) via an epidural for pain in the extremities due to bilateral compound leg fractures. which statement is correct when teaching this adolescent about using this device?

Answer 1

The correct teaching for PCA use includes informing the adolescent about self-administering pain medication as needed, understanding the lockout mechanism to avoid overdose, and reporting side effects to the healthcare staff.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct statement when teaching a 15-year-old adolescent about using patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) via an epidural is that the patient can self-administer a predetermined dose of pain medication by pressing a button. It is important to teach the adolescent that they should only press the button when they are experiencing pain, and there is a lockout mechanism to prevent overuse and potential medication overdose. Additionally, side effects such as itchiness, nausea, or drowsiness should be reported to the healthcare team immediately.