You are the home health nurse caring for a homebound client who is terminally ill. You are delivering a patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pump to the patient at your visit today
The family members will be taking care of the patient. What would your priority nursing interventions be for this visit?
A) Teach the family the theory of pain management and the use of alternative therapies.
B) Provide family support during this emotional experience.
C) Provide patient and family teaching regarding the operation of the pump, monitoring the IV site, and knowing the side effects of the medication.
D) Provide family teaching regarding use of morphine, recognizing morphine overdose, and offering spiritual guidance.
Ans: C
Feedback: If 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. 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 or the use of alternative therapies and the nurse 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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