This article describes the use and the benefits of this increasingly popular method of pain control. It relates to UKCC Professional Development category: Care enhancement
The aim of this continuing education article is to develop the reader’s understanding of the basic principles of patient-controlled analgesia (PCA), its clinical uses and the factors that influence its effectiveness. At the end of the article, you should be able to:
Explain briefly how a PCA system works Describe the advantages and disadvantages of PCA Understand the importance of monitoring a patient using PCA Explain the importance of patient control.
Nursing Standard. 10, 47, 49-55. doi: 10.7748/ns.10.47.49.s52
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