PCA Dose Adjustment — FRCA Final MCQ

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ModeratePain MedicinePCA Dose AdjustmentFRCA Final

PCA morphine: bolus 1 mg, lockout 5 min, no background. 40 mg/24h but pain 7/10. Best adjustment?

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Correct answer: C — Increase bolus to 2 mg

High demand (40 mg/24h) but inadequate analgesia: bolus too low. Increase to 1.5-2 mg. Background infusions increase respiratory depression risk. Increasing lockout worsens pain. Also consider multimodal adjuncts.

Reference: RCOA – 2023 – PCA management