What should the nurse monitor in patient on PCA pump?

Monitoring the Effects of PCA Monitoring requirements should be developed for patients who are receiving PCA. At a minimum, the patient’s level of pain, alertness, vital signs, and rate and quality of respirations should be evaluated every four hours. The staff must be alert for signs of oversedation.

Can a nurse push a PCA pump?

If the patient can’t use PCA because of young age, developmental stage, injury or illness, they may assign the patient’s nurse to push the PCA button. This may happen when the patient’s family is not able to be at the bedside or the family is not comfortable pushing the button.

What are the nurse’s responsibilities when placing a patient on a PCA?

Teach your patient and his family why and how to use PCA. Determine his baseline pain level, vital signs, level of consciousness, mental status, and level of sedation. Also assess current or prior opioid use and medication allergies. Make sure that the opioid antagonist naloxone (Narcan) is readily available.

How do you monitor a PCA?

Monitoring PCA Infusions

  1. Pain score must be recorded on the observation chart. In recovery : every 15 minutes. On ward : 1/2 hourly for 1 hour.
  2. Sedation scores and respiration rate must be recorded on the observation chart. In recovery: every 15 minutes. On ward:
  3. Nausea score must be recorded on the observation chart.

How often should PCA tubing be changed?

The PCA medication bag and PCA tubing must be changed at a minimum of every 72- 96 hours as per IWK Health Centre Policy #1155-. Insertion & Maintenance of Peripheral Intravenous Devices and Initiation & Maintenance of Peripheral Intravenous Therapy. Preference is to have tubing changed every 72 hours.

Does PCA need to be documented?

All PCA orders, including bolus doses, are electronically ordered through the Electronic Medical Record (EMR). All orders and documentation must be in milligrams, except in medications that are dosed in micrograms, i.e. Fentanyl.

How often should a patient push a PCA?

Whenever you start to hurt again, press the button. Since you know when you are hurting, you are the only one who should press the button. The nurses and your parents should NOT push the button.

How often do you change PCA tubing?

standard HomeMed procedures. all patients on PCA. tubing may be changed with every bag change (or every 3 days for daily bag changes).

What is a PCA pump nursing?

A computerized pump attached to the IV lets you release pain medicine by pressing a handheld button. PCA can be used in the hospital to ease pain after surgery. Or it can be used for painful conditions like pancreatitis or sickle cell disease. It also works well for people who can’t take medicines by mouth.

How do you use a PCA pump?

Your doctor or nurse sets the pump to release the right dose of medicine. The pain medicine flows from the pump into the tubing that goes into your vein. When you feel your pain starting, you press a button that you can hold in your hand. After you press the button, pain medicine is released from the pump.

What observations are required when caring for a patient with a PCA?

Patients with PCA need regular observations of pain, nausea, sedation and respiratory rate, in addition to the conventional postoperative recording….Monitoring PCA Infusions

  • Pain score must be recorded on the observation chart.
  • Sedation scores and respiration rate must be recorded on the observation chart.