A patient who had a motor vehicle accident 2 days ago is experiencing pain and is receiving patient-controlled analgesia (PCA). How does the nurse know that the patient is experiencing effective pain management with the PCA?

Question

a. The patient is sleeping and is difficult to arouse.
b. The patient rates pain at an acceptable level of 3 on a 0 to 10 scale.
c. Sufficient medication is left in the PCA syringe.
d. The patient presses the control button to deliver pain medication.

Answer 1

B
The effectiveness of pain relief measures is determined by the patient. If the patient is satisfied with the amount of pain relief, then pain measures are effective. A patient who is sleeping and is difficult to arouse is possibly oversedated; the nurse needs to assess this patient further. The amount of medication left in the PCA syringe does not indicate whether pain management is effective. Pressing the button shows that the patient knows how to use the PCA but does not evaluate pain management.