... is a method used in order to give pain relief to a patient that involves the patient's participation, by an appropriate and safe route. IV is the method most commonly used although there are other method which include intranasal, subcutaneous and epidural. (Thomas 1996). The PCA system is a pump that has a syringe and a timing device, the system is programmed then activated by the patient pressing a button which delivers a small dose of analgesic, this is referred to as a bolus dose. The system is set with a lock out device ensuring that the patient may only receive the desired amount of analgesia for a certain period of time. (Alexander et al 2000). There is however also a continuous background infusion of opioids which may be delivered independent of the patient, this is often used to allow the patient to sleep without been constantly woken to re-establish ...

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