The nurse is providing preoperative teaching for a patient regarding pain control after surgery. ...

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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.