A patient with a deep partial thickness burn has been receiving hydromorphone through patient-controlled analgesia (PCA)for 1 week. The nurse caring for the patient during the previous shift reports that the patient wakes up frequently during the night complaining of pain. What action by the nurse is appropriate?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

PCAs are best for controlling acute pain. This patient's history indicates a need for a pain management plan that will provide adequate analgesia while the patient is sleeping. Administering a dose of morphine when the patient already has severe pain will not address the problem. Teaching the patient to administer unneeded medication before going to sleep can result in oversedation and respiratory depression. It is illegal for the nurse to administer the morphine for a patient through PCA.

A Patient with a Deep Partial Thickness Burn Has Been