Question

The physician has ordered patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) for a patient with cancer. The patient's husband asks the nurse what is involved in this approach to pain management. The nurse correctly responds that:

1) The patient will push a button to deliver medication from a device whenever she needs pain relief. The nurse administers a loading dose and then monitors the patient for signs of overdose.

2) The patient will push the call button when she desires pain relief. The nurse will administer the medication on demand, up to the prescribed maximum dosage and frequency.

3) The patient will push a button to deliver medication from a device whenever she needs pain relief. The device controls the maximum dosage and the minimum interval between doses to prevent overdosing.

4) Before being discharged, the patient is educated in the use of the opioid to be used and prescribed a supply to have at home. The patient uses the opioid in combination with NSAIDs and nonpharmacological therapies to achieve maximum pain relief.

Answer 1

The nurse's correct explanation of PCA is that the patient uses a button to self-administer medication, with the device controlling dose limits and intervals to prevent overdose, providing immediate and effective pain relief with greater control over pain management.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct explanation for patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) is that the patient will push a button to deliver medication from a device whenever she needs pain relief. This type of pain management is specifically designed to allow patients to self-administer preset doses of pain medication, usually opioids, within safe limits. The PCA device is programmed to deliver a small, controlled dose of medication via an intravenous (IV) line, and it also prevents the patient from getting another dose too soon by locking out for a predetermined period, which minimizes the risk of overdose. With PCA, the patient has control over their pain management, which can lead to improved pain control and patient satisfaction.

PCA is particularly useful in managing acute pain after surgery or for patients with chronic conditions such as cancer. Unlike oral medications, PCA allows for immediate relief because the medication does not need to go through the digestive system. Additionally, because it is patient-activated, it can lead to more efficient pain control, as the patient can administer the medication when needed, thus avoiding delay and under-treatment of pain which can happen with traditional nurse-administered medication schedules.

Hence, the nurse's correct response to the patient's husband is option 3): The patient will push a button to deliver medication from a device whenever she needs pain relief. The device controls the maximum dosage and the minimum interval between doses to prevent overdosing. This explanation ensures a clear understanding of the safety and autonomy provided by a PCA system.