The nurse is caring for a patient with a patient-controlled analgesia (PCA).The patient's spouse asks about the advantages of using this type of pain management therapy.What should the nurse say to the spouse?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The patient can self-administer a bolus of medication the moment the pain begins,acting preemptively.Allowing the patient to self-administer opioid doses does not diminish the role of the critical care nurse in pain management.The nurse advises about necessary changes to the prescription and continues to monitor the effects of the medication and doses.The patient is closely monitored during the first 2 hours of therapy and after every change in the prescription.If the patient's pain does not respond within the first 2 hours of therapy,a total reassessment of the pain state is essential.If the patient is pressing the button to bolus medication more often than the prescription,the dose may be insufficient to maintain pain control.Naloxone must be readily available to reverse adverse opiate respiratory effects.

The Nurse Is Caring for a Patient with a Patient-Controlled