Pain Management Nursing Practice Exam 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

The indication of effective pain management in a patient using patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) is represented by the patient rating their pain at a level of 2 on a 0 to 10 scale. This numerical rating reflects a significantly low level of pain, suggesting that the analgesia is effectively alleviating the patient's discomfort. Effective pain management aims to lower pain levels so that individuals can function comfortably and engage in their daily activities.

In contrast, other findings could imply insufficient pain management or potential issues. For instance, if the patient is sleeping and is difficult to arouse, it may indicate sedation, which could be a side effect of the medications rather than effective pain control. Similarly, while having sufficient medication left in the PCA syringe might suggest that the medication is being administered appropriately, it does not directly reflect the patient's experience of pain relief. Finally, the act of pressing the control button to deliver medication can simply indicate that the patient is experiencing pain rather than demonstrating effective pain management. Thus, the patient's reported pain level is the most accurate measure of effective management in this context.