title: A patient-education tool for patient-controlled analgesia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To develop a pamphlet for educating patients about patient-controlled analgesia (PCA).
  
  
  METHODS
  Journal articles and pump manufacturers' materials.
  
  
  RESULTS
  This pamphlet defines PCA and describes PCA pump operation, pain assessment, medication side effects, and safety considerations. A numerical pain-assessment tool also is included.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This pamphlet has been helpful in assisting patients to use PCA pumps effectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Nurses can use this tool to educate patients requiring PCA therapy for pain management.
authors.affiliation: Bronx Veterans Affairs Medical Center, New York, USA.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wholihan
mesh_terms: D016058:Analgesia, Patient-Controlled / Q000451:nursing*; D006801:Humans; D010174:Pamphlets; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D013664:Teaching Materials