The nurse performing a focused assessment on pain will assess: (Select all that apply.).

Choice A rationale:
Perception is one of the phases of nociceptive pain. It involves the awareness of pain, where the brain recognizes and interprets the pain signals. During this phase, the individual becomes conscious of the painful sensation.
Choice B rationale:
Transmission is another phase of nociceptive pain. It involves the propagation of pain signals from the site of injury or damage to the central nervous system. Nerve fibers carry the pain signals to the spinal cord and brain for processing.
Choice D rationale:
Modulation is also a phase of nociceptive pain. It refers to the body's ability to modify or regulate the pain signals. This can involve the release of endorphins or other natural pain-relieving substances that help dampen the pain perception.
Choice E rationale:
Transduction is the last phase of nociceptive pain. It is the process where the noxious stimulus (injury or damage) is converted into electrical nerve signals that the body can understand. This conversion allows the pain signal to travel through the nervous system.
Choice C rationale:
Translation is not typically considered one of the phases of nociceptive pain. While translation may refer to the process of converting one form of information to another, it is not a recognized phase in the context of pain perception.

Choice A rationale:

This statement is not accurate and may confuse the client. In a Patient-Controlled Analgesia (PCA) system, a predetermined dose is delivered when the patient activates the device. The dose is usually controlled to prevent excessive medication administration.

Choice B rationale:

This statement is correct. The essence of PCA is that the patient has control over administering their pain medication within set limits or time intervals. The patient can self-administer doses when needed, ensuring effective pain management.

Choice C rationale:

Allowing the partner to push the PCA button for the patient is not recommended. PCA systems are designed to be controlled by the patient themselves to prevent potential overdosing. Involving someone else in the administration can lead to safety concerns.

Choice D rationale:

PCA systems do not deliver medication into the muscle. They typically deliver medication intravenously (IV) or subcutaneously. This statement is inaccurate and could lead to misconceptions about how the PCA system works.