PCA Flashcards
Describe what a PCA is and when it would be used?
Patient is able to self- administer small doses of pain meds through an IV or into the spinal canal through a pump
–Used status post surgery in patients with cancer and other chronic pain conditions
What is the purpose of using a PCA vs traditional pain meds?
With PCA the drug levels are kept more constant and remain in the therapeutic window and side effects are non-existent
Define loading dose in terms of a PCA
Initial large dose given to bring the level of analgesia to the therapeutic window
Define demand dose in terms of PCA
Amount of drug that can be self administered by the patient each time they activate the PCA
Define lockout interval in terms of PCA
Minimum amount of time allowed between each demand dose
Describe what successful vs total demands in terms of PCA
PCA systems record the total times the patient demanded the medication vs how many times they were allowed to have it
What type of analgesia are used for PCA medications and what is the most common?
Opioids (most common), non-opioids, or local anesthetic
In what ways are PCA used? & what is the most common way?
pumps can be external or implantable & PCA routes are IV, epidural, regional
the most common is IV
How are drugs administered through an IV
Small intermittent doses of the drug are administered through a catheter and directly into systemic circulation
Which method of PCAs is the preferred method?
Epidural – its safer there is less risk of damaging the meninges
T/F: Epidural PCA gives more effective analgesia with less drug as compared to IV PCA. If true, why?
True: Drug is closer to the spinal cord and gets into systemic circulation quicker
What is regional route PCA and what is the benefit?
Patient self administers the drug directly into an anatomical site: peripheral joint, peripheral nerve or into a wound –> Provided localized pain relief without side effects on other tissues or organs
Why might a patient prefer continuous infusions rather than PCAs?
They tend to supply more quantities of the drug (though which places the patient at risk for increased side effects)
When treating a patient with a PCA, when should you try to schedule therapy sessions?
there is less concern for strict scheduling since since plasma concentrations are constant
When treating a patient with PCA, what are they able to do quicker?
increased pain relief means the patient is out of bed sooner
