The home health nurse has delivered a patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pump to a homebound client who is terminally ill. The family members will be taking care of the patient. The priority nursing interventions are to:
A) Teach the family the theory of pain management and the use of alternative therapies.
B) Provide family support during this emotional experience.
C) Teach the patient and family the operation of the pump, monitoring of the IV site, and the side effects of the medication.
D) Teach the family how to use morphine and recognize morphine overdose, and offer spiritual guidance.
Ans: C
Feedback: If a PCA is to be used in the patient's home, the patient and family are taught about the operation of the pump as well as the side effects of the medication and strategies to manage them (Pasero & McCaffery, 2005). The family would also need to monitor the IV site and notify the nurse of any changes such as infiltration that could endanger the patient. Options A and B are incorrect; teaching the family the theory of pain management, the use of alternative therapies, and providing emotional support are important, but the family must be able to operate the pump as well as know the side effects of the medication and strategies to manage them. Option D is incorrect; the question does not indicate morphine is being used, and offering spiritual guidance would not be a priority at this point.
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