A postoperative patient is using patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pump. You will evaluate the effectiveness of the medication when

A. "Don't worry. The cancer prevents you from becoming addicted." This statement is incorrect because having cancer does not prevent addiction. However, appropriate pain management in patients with severe pain does not typically lead to addiction.
B. "That is a valid worry. I wouldn't want to become addicted." While acknowledging the patient’s concern is important, this response reinforces fear rather than providing reassurance based on medical evidence.
C. "My cousin was addicted to pain killers when he had cancer." This response is inappropriate because it is anecdotal and does not address the patient’s concern with factual medical information.
D. "Because you have severe pain, the medication is necessary. There is little chance of addiction as long as you take the medication as prescribed." This is the best response because it reassures the patient that pain control is a priority and that, when used correctly, the risk of addiction is minimal.

A. Family members report that pain has subsided. Pain is a subjective experience, and the patient's own report is the most reliable indicator of pain relief, not the observations of family members.
B. Vital signs have returned to baseline. While pain can affect vital signs, such as increasing heart rate or blood pressure, their return to normal does not necessarily indicate adequate pain relief. Some patients may still experience significant pain despite stable vital signs.
C. Body language is incongruent with reports of pain relief. Nonverbal cues can be helpful in assessing pain, but they should not override the patient’s self-reported pain level, which is the most accurate measure.
D. You compare assessed pain with baseline pain. The best way to evaluate the effectiveness of PCA analgesia is to assess the patient’s pain level before and after medication administration, comparing it to baseline pain. This provides an objective measure of pain relief.