A nurse cares for a client who is prescribed patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) after a cholecystectomy. The client states, "When I wake up I am in pain." Which action should the nurse take?
a. Administer intravenous morphine while the client sleeps.
b. Encourage the client to use the PCA pump upon awakening.
c. Contact the provider and request a different analgesic.
d. Ask a family member to initiate the PCA pump for the client.
ANS: B
The nurse should encourage the client to use the PCA pump prior to napping and upon awakening. Administering additional intravenous morphine while the client sleeps places the client at risk for respiratory depression. The nurse should also evaluate dosages received compared with dosages requested and contact the provider if the dose or frequency is not adequate. Only the client should push the pain button on a PCA pump.
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