Which technique will provide the most accurate measurement of the patient’s core temperature?

Choice A reason: This is incorrect. The PCA will not give additional pain medication whenever the button is pushed. The PCA is programmed to deliver a specific dose of pain medication at a specific interval. If the button is pushed before the interval is over, the PCA will not release any medication. This is to prevent overdose and side effects.

Choice B reason: This is incorrect. The PCA will not deliver medication through the IV until the pain is all gone. The PCA is designed to provide pain relief, not pain elimination. The PCA has a limit on how much medication it can deliver in a certain period of time. The patient may still have some pain even after using the PCA.

Choice C reason: This is correct. You or a designated family member are the only one who gets to push the PCA button-nobody else may do so. The PCA is intended to give the patient control over their pain management. The patient should push the button when they feel pain, not when someone else thinks they need it. Allowing others to push the button can lead to under- or over-medication, which can be harmful.

Choice D reason: This is incorrect. Wait until the pain becomes severe before pushing the PCA button is not a good instruction. The PCA is more effective when the patient pushes the button before the pain becomes too intense. Waiting too long can make the pain harder to control and require more medication. The patient should use the PCA as needed to keep the pain at a tolerable level.

Choice A reason: This is incorrect. Making sure that the earpieces fit loosely in the nurse’s ear canals will not help the nurse hear the heartbeat more clearly. Loose earpieces can let in ambient noise and reduce the sound quality.

Choice B reason: This is incorrect. Utilizing a stethoscope with the longest possible tubing will not help the nurse hear the heartbeat more clearly. Long tubing can reduce the sound transmission and create interference.

Choice C reason: This is correct. Placing the diaphragm firmly against the patient’s skin will help the nurse hear the heartbeat more clearly. The diaphragm is the flat circular part of the chest piece that is used to listen to low-pitched sounds, such as the heart. Firm pressure creates a good seal and blocks out external noise.

Choice D reason: This is incorrect. Positioning the bell very lightly over the patient’s sternum will not help the nurse hear the heartbeat more clearly. The bell is the small cup-shaped part of the chest piece that is used to listen to high-pitched sounds, such as the lungs. Light pressure is needed to avoid activating the diaphragm, but the sternum is not the best location to listen to the apical pulse.