A patient, admitted to the ICU with a diagnosis of acute pancreatitis, is prescribed pain medication through a PCA pump. What will the nurse include when teaching the patient and family about the proper use of the pump?
1. The patient should only use the PCA pump when the pain is severe.
2. The family may help by "pushing the button" when they feel the patient is in pain.
3. The PCA allows the patient to administer smaller amounts of pain medication more frequently, which helps to get more effective pain relief.
4. The PCA delivers pain medication every time the button is pushed.
3
Rationale 1: The patient should be taught to use the PCA pump at the start of pain. Pain is easier to control when it is less severe. Waiting to use the pump will make it difficult to achieve adequate pain control.
Rationale 2: The PCA should only be administered by the patient in order to prevent accidental overdosing.
Rationale 3: PCA is the preferred method of pain management. It allows the patient more control and provides more effective pain relief.
Rationale 4: The PCA does have a dose and time lockout to help prevent an overdose of medication.
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