CPAN Pain Management Flashcards

What is equianalgesic dosing in PACU practice?

Answer: Converting between different opioids using dose equivalency tables

Equianalgesic dosing uses conversion tables to calculate equivalent analgesic doses when switching between different opioid medications.

Which factors should guide the PACU nurse's choice of pain management approach?

Answer: Type of surgery, patient's medical history, allergies, and pain assessment findings

Pain management must be individualized based on multiple factors including procedure type, medical history, allergies, and current pain assessment data.

Why is pain reassessment after interventions essential in the PACU?

Answer: It determines intervention effectiveness and guides further treatment decisions

Pain reassessment after interventions allows the nurse to evaluate whether pain management was effective and adjust the treatment plan as needed.

What is opioid tolerance and how does it affect post-anesthesia pain management?

Answer: Decreased analgesic effect requiring higher doses to achieve the same pain relief

Opioid tolerance occurs when repeated exposure to opioids reduces analgesic effect, requiring higher doses to achieve the same level of pain relief.

A PACU patient with a history of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) requires opioids for pain. What special precaution should be taken?

Answer: Increase monitoring frequency and keep supplemental oxygen readily available

Patients with OSA are at higher risk for opioid-induced respiratory depression and require more frequent monitoring along with readily available supplemental oxygen.

What is the purpose of the Aldrete Score in PACU discharge planning?

Answer: To objectively evaluate recovery using criteria including activity, respiration, circulation, consciousness, and oxygen saturation

The Aldrete Score is a standardized scoring system used to objectively determine when a patient is physiologically ready for discharge from Phase I PACU recovery.