PATIENT CONTROLLED ANALGESIA

Patient Controlled Analgesia



Executive Summary

Based on the idea of John (1995) the premise behind authoring a reflective report is to motivate and encourage an advantageous practice via the process of understanding and learning the experience that is gained by a practitioner theoretically. It is this form of report that is said to be significant in terms of assessments since it is reflective reports are said to be a source via which formal assessments are made. The ethical as well as moral knowledge is also said to be evaluated as well as analyzed regardless of the model of reflective essay that is utilized. Such reflective reports highlight and emphasize actions as well as ethics to ensure that the practices conducted complement each other and at the same time highlight what are the hidden factors that tend to establish an urge in the practitioners to resort to different modes of practices. In order to develop an effective reflective report I have made us of guidelines that have been developed by Taylor (2000) which is utilized for reflective practice. In this particular report I have reflected on the experience that I have had with a patient along with the mode of assessment and management of the pain. This report discusses Patient Controlled Analgesia (PCA) along with critical analysis of the method used in relation to physiology, pharmacology, management techniques and outcomes. Furthermore, this report also explores issues in Immediate Post Operative Practice (clinical).

Patient Controlled Analgesia

The premise behind opting for Patient Controlled Analgesia (PCA) is the fact that pain is another intense phase that a patient has to undergo after any surgical procedure. The degree of pain can be excruciating to the extent that it can impact a patient in a severe way hence it becomes vital to assess PCA which can curb the impact of pain and bring relief to patient at times when they are fighting with the post surgical pain state.

Pain is an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage. Pain is conscious and forward-presence of peripheral and central nervous system is always subjective and is experienced as a physical phenomenon. This pain is not merely a process of sensory perception, or a simple reaction to peripheral stimuli, but an active response of humans to these stimuli.

The Major Pain Syndromes

Pitkänen and Tuominen (2002) Acute pain is short (less than 3 months). It is very often described as an alarm signal. It has, in most cases, a diagnostic value. It must be a rapid therapeutic response because "it leaves unmistakable traces on the psyche, memory, behavior and neural structures.” It causes anxiety and spontaneous reaction behavior (avoidance, escape, sweating, and nausea). It can be induced by treatment, surgical procedures or treatments.

Factors responsible for the evolution to chronic pain are numerous and imperfectly elucidated. The pain is called chronic when it lasts beyond 3 to 6 months. It is variable and recurring. It is a hindrance from physical, psychological and social aspect the person ...