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A patient has just returned from theatre following surgery on their left arm. They have a PCA infusion connected and from the admission, you remember that they have poor dexterity with their right hand. They are currently pain free. What actions would you take?

  • Educate the patient’s family to push the button when the patient asks for it. Encourage them to tell the nursing staff when they leave the ward so that staff can take over.

  • Routinely offer the patient a bolus and document this clearly.

  • Contact the pain team/anaesthetist to discuss the situation and suggest that the means of delivery are changed.

  • The patient has paracetamol q.d.s. written up, so this should be adequate pain relief