A woman is in labor and refuses to receive any sort of anesthesia ...

[big1devin]

A woman is in labor and refuses to receive any sort of anesthesia medication. Which alternative treatment is best for this patient?
 
  a. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)
  b. Herbal supplements with analgesic effects
  c. Pudendal block (regional anesthesia)
  d. Relaxation and guided imagery

Question 2

A nurse is teaching a patient about patient-controlled analgesia (PCA). Which statement made by the patient indicates to the nurse that teaching is effective?
 
  a. I will only need to be on this pain medication.
  b. I feel less anxiety about the possibility of overdosing.
  c. I can receive the pain medication as frequently as I need to.
  d. I need the nurse to notify me when it is time for another dose.

[cegalasso]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: D
In the case of a patient in labor, relaxation with guided imagery is often an effective supplement for pain management because it provides women with a sense of control over their pain. Relaxation and guided imagery can be used during any phase of health or illness. TENS units are typically used to manage postsurgical and procedural pain. Herbal supplements need to be evaluated for safety during pregnancy. Additionally, some patients consider herbal supplements to be another form of medication, and they are not typically used to control acute pain. A pudendal block is a type of regional anesthesia (injection or infusion of local anesthetics to block a group of sensory nerve fibers); use of it does not respect the patient's wishes for nonpharmacological pain control.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: B
A PCA is a device that allows the patient to determine the level of pain relief delivered, reducing the risk of overdose. The PCA infusion pumps are designed to deliver a specific dose that is programmed to be available at specific time intervals (usually in the range of 8 to 15 minutes) when the patient activates the delivery button. A limit on the number of doses per hour or 4-hour interval may also be set. This can help decrease a patient's anxiety related to possible overdose. Its use also often eases anxiety because the patient is not reliant on the nurse for pain relief. Other medications, such as oral analgesics, can be given in addition to the PCA machine. One benefit of PCA is that the patient does not need to rely on the nurse to administer pain medication; the patient determines when to take the medication.

[big1devin]

Excellent

[triiciiaa]

TYSM