Patient Education Cancer of the Pancreas: A Care Guide | Page 15

You will likely have a PCA (patient-
controlled analgesia), which is a
device that allows the patient to be in
control of the pain medication. When
you have pain, you push a button and
a certain amount of pain medicine
goes into the vein through the IV
(intravenous) tubing. You should
feel relief shortly after the button is
pushed.
You can safely push the button as
often as you need to — the PCA will
give the medicine but will not give
more than the doctor has ordered.
The pump is programmed to give a
safe amount of pain medicine over a
set period of time. Only the patient is
allowed to push the button.
Sometimes pain medicine can
cause nausea, itching, confusion, or
constipation. Tell your nurse if any of