A nurse is caring for a client who has a new diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus and has a referral for a dietary consult. The client tells the nurse, "I will have to eat whatever the dietitian tells me." Which of the following statements by the nurse encourages the client's involvement in their plan of care?

Choice A reason: Encouraging family members to press the PCA button for the client is not recommended. The PCA device is designed to be used by the patient to manage their own pain. Allowing someone other than the patient to administer the medication can lead to over-sedation or respiratory depression. The patient must have control over the PCA device to ensure that they are receiving the medication based on their pain level and not someone else's perception of their pain.

Choice B reason: Monitoring the client's respiratory status every 4 hours is important but may not be sufficient for a patient receiving morphine via a PCA device. According to clinical guidelines, respiratory rate, sedation, and pain scores must be recorded more frequently after the initiation of PCA therapy—typically every 15 minutes for the first hour, then every 30 minutes for the next 2 hours, and hourly until 24 hours post-operation. This is to ensure early detection of any adverse effects such as respiratory depression, which is a risk with opioid administration.

Choice C reason: Teaching the client how to self-medicate using the PCA device is the correct action. Patient education is crucial for the effective use of PCA. The patient should be instructed on how to use the device, including when to press the button and the importance of only the patient controlling the button. This empowers the patient to manage their pain effectively and safely, ensuring that they receive the medication when needed and reducing the risk of over-sedation or under-medication.

Choice D reason: Administering an oral opioid for breakthrough pain may be necessary if the PCA does not adequately control the patient's pain. However, this should be done cautiously and typically under the guidance of a pain management team or physician. Breakthrough pain medication is usually reserved for instances where the PCA is not providing sufficient pain relief, and the patient's pain is assessed to be higher than what can be managed by the PCA alone.

Choice A reason: Pressing down on the orbital area of the eye is not a recommended method for eliciting a pain response due to the risk of causing injury to the eye.

Choice B reason: Pinching the trapezius muscle is a common and safe method to elicit a pain response in an unresponsive patient. It is less invasive and carries a lower risk of injury compared to other methods.

Choice C reason: Using a 25-gauge needle is not a standard practice for eliciting a pain response due to the risk of puncture and infection.

Choice D reason: Eliciting a reflex with a reflex hammer is used to assess neurological function, not to elicit a pain response in an unresponsive patient.