Author Question: A patient, preparing for patient-controlled analgesia for pain relief after a cesarean birth, asks ... (Read 106 times)

ARLKQ · **on:** Jun 27, 2018

A patient, preparing for patient-controlled analgesia for pain relief after a cesarean birth, asks if this is an effective way to control pain. What should the nurse respond to the patient?

A) It is effective, but the amount of analgesic used will preclude breastfeeding..
B) Every woman reacts differently to pain, so it would be impossible to predict..
C) Not only is it effective but it also will reduce the amount of narcotic needed..
D) Most women do not feel well enough after surgery to want control of their own pain relief..

Question 2

A patient scheduled for a cesarean birth asks if there are any difficulties with breastfeeding after this type of delivery. What should the nurse include when responding to this patient?

A) Breastfeeding is not recommended after a cesarean birth.
B) It is hard to find a comfortable position to hold a newborn to breastfeed.
C) A comfortable position can be found to support breastfeeding the infant.
D) The patient will have too much analgesia postoperatively to make breastfeeding safe.

cuttiesgirl16 · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 27, 2018

Answer to Question 1

C
Feedback:
With patient-controlled analgesia, a constant level of pain relief can be maintained, and pain and fear of injections are eliminated. This approach works well with postcesarean patients because the narcotic is injected in such small amounts; patients tend to use less analgesia with this approach than they would receive with intramuscular injections. Breastfeeding is not contraindicated with patient-controlled analgesia. Patient-controlled analgesia has proven to be an effective method to control pain. Most patients like patient-controlled analgesia because they are able to control their own pain relief.

Answer to Question 2

C
Feedback:
The nurse can help the patient with breastfeeding by placing a pillow over the lap while the infant nurses. This position can deflect the weight of the infant from the suture line and lessen pain. The use of the football hold for breastfeeding is another way to keep the infant's weight off the incision. Breastfeeding is recommended after a cesarean birth. It is not difficult to find a comfortable position to hold a newborn to breastfeed. The patient will not have too much analgesia postoperatively for safe breastfeeding.