PATIENT-CONTROLLED ANALGESIA: PREVENTING ERRORS

Course overview

Patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) is a term commonly used to refer to I.V. medication administration by an electronically controlled infusion pump (PCA pump) that has been programmed to permit a patient to self-administer a preset dose of analgesia. Although the patient is in control of administering the medication, the nurse is responsible for managing and programming the PCA pump and preventing PCA-related errors. This continuing education module is designed to give the reader/learner an increased understanding of PCA errors in order to better care for patients. Readers may explore any or all of the topics. One contact hour of continuing education credit is available for those who successfully complete the post-test and evaluation form.