Pain Management Nursing Practice Exam 2025 – Complete Preparation Guide

For a patient using patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) with morphine, a crucial instruction is that only the patient should push the button. This instruction is fundamental because it ensures the safety and effectiveness of the pain management process. When patients control their own pain relief by administering the medication themselves, they can respond to their pain levels in real-time and take action as needed. This patient autonomy not only contributes to a better management of their pain but also helps minimize the risk of overmedication when the patient is cognizant of their own pain experiences.

In the context of PCA use, it is also essential to reinforce that others should not push the button on behalf of the patient, as this increases the risk of receiving an overdose of the medication, which can lead to serious complications.

The other options contain important information but do not hold the same level of critical importance. Advising against using the PCA until pain is severe could lead to unnecessary suffering and discomfort, as early pain intervention is generally preferable. Indicating that the PCA system can set limits is valuable but serves more as a reassurance than a primary instruction. Lastly, notifying the nurse when the button is pushed can be useful for monitoring, but the priority is that the patient utilizes the PCA independently to