5 7
O C T O B E R 2 0 1 4 | S U P P L E M E N T T O O U T P AT I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E O N L I N E
Pain pumps should never be
used with pediatric or elderly patients.
a.
true
b.
false
Answer:
b
I don't treat pediatric patients, but there are people who do and who are hav-
ing success with pumps. Clearly, however, you need to limit your infusion
rates so there's no potential for a toxic dose. Older patients, as long as they're
of sound mind, also seem to do fine with pumps. But as with pediatric
patients, if you're dealing with a frail elderly patient, you need to be careful
that the size of the dose is appropriate.
The best way to ensure patients are properly
educated about pain pumps is to _____________.
a.
have a nurse show them how it works
b.
have them watch a video
c.
send written instructions home with them
d.
do all of the above
Answer:
d
Education is tremendously important, especially in the outpatient environment,
since patients are soon on their own. Not only do we do all of those things, but
there's a QR code on the instructions, so they can scan the code with their
smartphones and watch the educational video again. We also give them the sur-
gery center's number, an 800 number for the manufacturer and our cell phone
numbers.
P A I N P U M P S A F E T Y
