A patient has fallen and injured her knee.
It is not fractured, but there is considerable swelling and pain.
She asks which over-the-counter analgesic would be best to take for her discomfort.
The nurse tells her that one with NSAID properties would be best.
Which would it be best to take?

Choice A rationale:

Keeping bright lights on in the room is not conducive to relaxation. Bright lights can be stimulating and may increase stress, which is counterproductive when trying to manage pain through relaxation techniques.

Choice B rationale:

Using relaxation techniques as a way to wake up in the morning is not the intended purpose of these techniques. Relaxation techniques are typically used to reduce stress, anxiety, and pain, especially when one is trying to rest or sleep.

Choice C rationale:

Tensing and relaxing individual muscle groups, starting with the toes and feet, is a common method for progressive muscle relaxation. This technique can help reduce muscle tension and promote overall relaxation. It is an effective approach to pain management.

Choice D rationale:

Trying to tense and relax all of the muscles of the body at the same time may be difficult for most individuals and is not a commonly recommended relaxation technique. It can be challenging to achieve the level of focus and control required for this method, and it may not be as effective as focusing on individual muscle groups.

Choice A rationale:
Patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) is a method of pain management that allows the patient to administer their own pain medication within specified limits, but it doesn't reduce the workload of the nurse. The nurse is responsible for setting up and monitoring the PCA pump, educating the patient, assessing their pain, and ensuring safety. Therefore, this choice is incorrect.
Choice B rationale:
PCA does not completely eliminate pain. It provides the patient with control over their pain relief by allowing them to self-administer medication within preset limits. However, it does not guarantee the complete absence of pain. Pain relief is provided within a safe dosage range, but some level of pain may still be experienced. Therefore, this choice is incorrect.
Choice C rationale:
PCA does not eliminate the risk of adverse drug effects entirely. The nurse must monitor the patient for signs of adverse effects, such as respiratory depression or sedation. While the patient has control over medication administration, there are still risks associated with opioid analgesics. Therefore, this choice is incorrect.
Choice D rationale:
The principal advantage of using patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) is that it reduces patient anxiety about pain by giving the patient more control over its management. This choice is correct because PCA empowers the patient to self-administer pain medication when needed, which can lead to better pain control and reduced anxiety. The nurse sets safe dosage limits and monitors the patient, ensuring safety while providing a sense of control.