Final answer:
Morphine is typically the best choice for patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) for a child in the immediate post-operative period due to its efficacy in managing severe pain without causing loss of consciousness. The correct option is A.
Step-by-step explanation:
The best choice for patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) for a child in the immediate post-operative period would typically be morphine.
Morphine is often used before and after surgical procedures to alleviate severe pain. It is a potent opioid analgesic that is capable of reducing pain without loss of consciousness at appropriate doses and provides a level of control to the patient over their pain management.
On the other hand, drugs such as codeine are usually prescribed for mild to moderate pain and are often combined with non-opioid pain relievers such as acetaminophen.
Meperidine is less commonly used due to its side effects, and acetaminophen is not an opioid and is typically used for less severe pain.
It is important to note that medical decisions should be tailored to the specific needs of the individual patient, and this general advice would be subject to modification based on the child's specific situation, history, and the clinical judgment of the healthcare provider. The correct option is A.