A method of pain relief in which the patient controls the amount of pain medicine that is used. When pain relief is needed, the person can receive a preset dose of pain medicine by pressing a button on a computerized pump that is connected to a small tube in the body. Also called patient-controlled analgesia. Found on http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary?expand=P
Synonym for patient controlled analgesia ... <anaesthetics, procedure> Self-administration of analgesics by a patient instructed in doing so, usually refers to self-dosing with intravenous opioid (for example, morphine) administered by means of a programmable pump. ... (16 Dec 1997) ... Found on http://www.encyclo.co.uk/local/20973
Patient Controlled Analgesia. A pump attached to the IV after surgery which allows a patient to push a button and give themselves a dose of pain medication. Often used during the first night in the hospital after surgery. Found on http://www.encyclo.co.uk/local/22138
PCA: Commonly used abbreviation for patient-controlled analgesia. Analgesia simply means relief of pain. PCA is a method by which the patient controls the amount of pain medicine (analgesia) they receive. There are a number of different PCA systems. In the classic PCA system, the patient receives a preset dose of morphine by pressing a button on a ... Found on http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=31620