The nurse appreciates the principal advantage in using patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) is that it:.

reduces the workload of the nurse, because it does not have to be checked often.

completely eliminates any pain the patient is experiencing.

eliminates the risk of adverse drug effects from the medication.

reduces patient anxiety about pain by giving the patient more control in its management.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

Choice A rationale:
Patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) is a method of pain management that allows the patient to administer their own pain medication within specified limits, but it doesn't reduce the workload of the nurse. The nurse is responsible for setting up and monitoring the PCA pump, educating the patient, assessing their pain, and ensuring safety. Therefore, this choice is incorrect.
Choice B rationale:
PCA does not completely eliminate pain. It provides the patient with control over their pain relief by allowing them to self-administer medication within preset limits. However, it does not guarantee the complete absence of pain. Pain relief is provided within a safe dosage range, but some level of pain may still be experienced. Therefore, this choice is incorrect.
Choice C rationale:
PCA does not eliminate the risk of adverse drug effects entirely. The nurse must monitor the patient for signs of adverse effects, such as respiratory depression or sedation. While the patient has control over medication administration, there are still risks associated with opioid analgesics. Therefore, this choice is incorrect.
Choice D rationale:
The principal advantage of using patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) is that it reduces patient anxiety about pain by giving the patient more control over its management. This choice is correct because PCA empowers the patient to self-administer pain medication when needed, which can lead to better pain control and reduced anxiety. The nurse sets safe dosage limits and monitors the patient, ensuring safety while providing a sense of control.

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Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A rationale:

An elevated blood pressure is not a reliable indicator of a decrease in pain following the administration of an opioid narcotic. Blood pressure can be influenced by various factors, and it may not directly correlate with the relief of pain.

Choice B rationale:

The client being asleep is not a direct indicator of decreased pain following opioid administration. While opioids may cause drowsiness as a side effect, the absence of pain cannot be confirmed solely based on the patient's sleep state.

Choice C rationale:

An increased respiratory rate can be a reliable indicator of decreased pain following the administration of an opioid narcotic. Opioids often cause respiratory depression, so an increased respiratory rate may suggest that the patient's pain is adequately managed, as they are not experiencing excessive respiratory depression.

Choice D rationale:

Diaphoresis (excessive sweating) is not a direct indicator of decreased pain following opioid administration. Diaphoresis can be caused by various factors, including anxiety, and may not specifically reflect pain relief. .

A. "Your husband should decide when more medication is needed.”. B. "Why do you think your husband needs more medication when he is asleep?". C. "It's a good idea to help make sure your husband can sleep comfortably.”. D. "Next time you think he needs more medication, call me and I'll push the button.”.

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

The correct answer is choice B. "Why do you think your husband needs more medication when he is asleep?"

Choice A rationale:

"Your husband should decide when more medication is needed.” This response is incorrect because it implies that the partner has the authority to decide when the client needs pain medication, which violates the purpose of a PCA pump. A PCA pump is specifically designed for client-controlled pain management, ensuring that the patient, not anyone else, controls when they receive pain medication. Allowing someone else to press the button can lead to overmedication and safety risks.

Choice B rationale:

"Why do you think your husband needs more medication when he is asleep?" This response is correct because it prompts the partner to reflect on their actions and provides an opportunity for the nurse to educate about the proper use of PCA pumps. It addresses the immediate issue without being confrontational and opens the door for further discussion on the importance of client safety and correct PCA use.

Choice C rationale:

"It's a good idea to help make sure your husband can sleep comfortably.” This response is incorrect as it endorses inappropriate and unsafe behavior. It encourages the partner to continue pressing the PCA button, risking the client's safety due to potential overmedication, which can lead to severe complications, such as respiratory depression.

Choice D rationale:

"Next time you think he needs more medication, call me and I'll push the button.” This response is incorrect because it contradicts PCA protocols and removes the control from the client. The nurse is responsible for monitoring the client’s pain and safety, not administering medication upon another person’s request. This approach also increases the risk of dosing errors and undermines the purpose of patient-controlled analgesia.

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The nurse appreciates the principal advantage in using patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) is that it:.

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is collecting data on a client following administration of an opioid narcotic.Which of the following findings indicates a decrease in the client's pain?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A nurse is caring for a client who is using a patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pump for postoperative pain management. The nurse enters the room to find the client asleep and his partner pressing the button to dispense a dose of analgesia. Which of the following responses should the nurse make?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A rationale:

Choice B rationale:

Choice C rationale:

Choice D rationale:

The nurse attempts to help an 86-year-old patient describe his pain because the nurse is aware the older adult may not express pain because they:.

The patient having difficulty sleeping lives right off the freeway in an apartment complex where many young people live.To try to alleviate the problem, the nurse counsels her to try:.

A patient experiencing pain states that guided imagery has made the pain more manageable in the past.To assist this patient, the nurse should:.

A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client about the use of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) to manage chronic pain.Which of the following statements by the client indicates the need for further teaching?

One thing the nurse would ask the patient to do to try to locate the reason for her insomnia is to:.

A patient who has difficulty falling asleep at night because of anxiety over family problems asks if he should start taking sedative pills from the pharmacy to sleep better.The best advice to give this patient is that these pills can be used for:.

A nurse is assessing the status of a patient who is sleeping.Which assessment data indicate that the patient is most likely in stage 3 of non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep?

A nurse is assisting with teaching a client who has obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) about continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?