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Patient-Controlled Analgesia — NCLEX Cheat Sheet

ONLY patient pushes button

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👤 By the CinnaRN Clinical Content Team 🕐 Updated 2026-07-11 🏷️ Pharmacological Therapies 🔖 Free to read, print, and share

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Use this quick-reference guide to spot, treat, and prevent Patient-Controlled Analgesia on the NCLEX. Keep it handy during review and on exam day!

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Rules

Key facts

Pt-only presses → no proxy
Lockout prevents overdose
Basal rate optional continuous

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Monitor

Key numbers

RR, sedation, SpO2 q1-2h
Pain score + button attempts

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Report

Notify / act now

RR < 8-10 → STOP pump
Excess sedation, hard to rouse

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Rescue

Key facts

Naloxone at bedside ready
Two-RN check opioid setup

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Quick Tip

The pump is programmed with a demand dose, a lockout interval, and often a maximum hourly limit.

📖 Related Topics

Digoxin Toxicity Heparin Therapy Warfarin Therapy Acetaminophen Poisoning in Children

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