When to give pain meds

[Justlearning]

I have been on the job 4 months on post op floor. I can not figure out when you can mix pain meds. If pt has epidural or pca. When can you give another med and what meds for breakthrough pain. If dr. orders 3 pain meds for a pt prn. Which is the appropriate med? If one does not take care of all the pain when can you try another. What ones can be given together and how do you decide which ones to give? I am confused. Should I have learned this in nursing school? Is it just me. Also if pt has low o2 sat. Can you administer morphine or other meds that may depress respiratory?

[Jolie, BSN]

You are asking critically important questions that, unfortunately, we can't answer except in the most general terms without knowing the specifics of your patient's condition, physician's orders, hospital protocols, etc.

Please make an appointment with your charge nurse, unit educator or manager and ask for guidance on managing the pain of your post-op patients. You and they will benefit from your enhanced knowledge.

[lpnflorida]

We have been instructed to use the smallest dose to help relieve pain, if ineffective then go to the next dose. This is in regards to orders such as Morphine IV 2-6mg/

Iv meds are most often given until a patient is able to tolerate po medications. Some doctors write their orders which indicate which pain medications to be given for moderate pain versus severe pain. When in doubt, ask the Charge nurse or ask the doctor for clarification of what meds he wants given for what level of pain and by which route if there is a choice.

[southernbelle08]

Ask those more experienced than you, or call down to pharmacy if you have a question about what can/can't be mixed. When it comes to medications every situation is different, so you really can't answer with a blanket statement. Good luck!