Question

A physical therapist assesses a patient's present pain level and concludes that the current patient-controlled analgesia protocol is not adequate. What is the MOST appropriate action?

1. Modify the allowable medication dosage
2. Eliminate the lockout interval
3. Contact the patient's nurse
4. Page the patient's referring physician

Answer 1

The most appropriate action when a physical therapist finds a PCA protocol inadequate is to contact the patient's nurse for further evaluation and potential adjustment of treatment.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a physical therapist assesses a patient's pain level and finds that the existing patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) protocol is not providing adequate relief, the MOST appropriate action would be to contact the patient's nurse. The nurse can then evaluate the situation and take necessary actions, which may include modifying the medication dosage, adjusting the lockout interval, or consulting with the patient's referring physician. It is crucial to approach this in a collaborative and cautionary manner, as changes in analgesia protocol should be made with careful consideration of the patient's medical condition and within the scope of practice of the assessing professional.