PrintPain Management
Pain Management Methods:
Patient Controlled Analgesia
The other common method of pain management is Patient Controlled Analgesia (PCA). The medication from a PCA pump goes into a vein just like an intravenous (IV) way to give a drug. The kind of medication is called an opioid (strong painkiller). This is a way of letting you, the patient, be in control of your pain medication. A special pump will be set up to allow you to take a dose of painkiller when you need it. The pump has safety features so that you cannot overdose yourself with the medication.
IT IS IMPORTANT THAT ONLY YOU PUSH THE BUTTON OF THE PCA MACHINE.
PLEASE ASK YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS NEVER TO DO THIS FOR YOU BECAUSE THEN THE SAFETY FEATURES OF THE PUMP DO NOT WORK.
The benefits are that you are in control.
Your Responsibilities
You have responsibilities with this type of pain management. The nurse will wake you every two (2) hours for the first 12 hours and ask you what your pain level is on a scale of 0-10.
Again, it is important that you tell us immediately if your pain is not under control. Remember it is easier to prevent pain or to treat it before it starts.
You are responsible to:
| 1 | Push the button to get your pain under control. |
| 2 | Do not let any other person push the button for you. |
| 3 | Speak to your nurse or pharmacist if you feel any of the side effects of the medication such as nausea or drowsiness. |
| 4 | Tell the nurse your pain level using the 0-10 scale when s/he wakes you every two hours. |
| 5 | Tell your nurse if your pain is not being controlled with the dose you are receiving. |
