Biology Forums - Study Force

The nurse is providing preoperative teaching for a patient regarding pain control after surgery. Which of the following statements is/are true regarding the use of postoperative analgesia? (Select all that apply.)
 
  a. Analgesics will not provide adequate relief if you wait until the pain becomes excruciating before using them.
  b. Pain control will help you recover from surgery quicker.
  c. You shouldn't be concerned about becoming addicted to your pain medications immediately after surgery.
  d. You will remain pain-free as long as you take your pain medications as prescribed.
  e. A PCA pump is commonly used to help patients control their pain.
  f. Take pain medication carefully as it will lengthen your recovery period.

A, B, C, E
Analgesics will not provide adequate pain relief if the patient waits until the pain becomes excruciating before using or requesting an analgesic. Even though around-the-clock (ATC) analgesia is more effective, most patients still have analgesics ordered prn (as needed). Pain control is essential for a surgical patient to recover quickly. Encourage the patient to use analgesics as needed and not be fearful of any dependence on pain medications after surgery. Patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) is common and provides patients with control over pain. Explain to a patient how to operate a pump and the importance of administering medication as soon as pain becomes persistent. The patient also needs to know it takes time for a drug to act and that the drug will rarely eliminate all the discomfort. Pain medication will not lengthen the recovery period, it will shorten it.