Patient-Controlled Analgesia (PCA) Pump

Important about PCA:

Patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) is a type of pain management that allows your child to help control their pain medicine. .A PCA pump contains pain medicine that flows through a clear tube that connects to your child’s IV. The pump has a cord attached to it with a button on the end. Your child may press the PCA button to receive pain medicine when they are uncomfortable. Children can be more comfortable when they control their own pain medicine. Depending on your child’s pain, a small amount of medicine may be added to flow through the pump all the time.

The pump will safely give your child only the amount of medicine prescribed by your healthcare provider. Your child cannot receive too much medicine even if they push the button many times in a row. The pump is set to only give a certain amount of medicine every few minutes. Only your child should push the button. Your health care provider will review the instructions for the PCA pump with you and your child.

You will probably notice that as your child feels better, they will push the button less often. As soon as your child can eat, they can take pain medicine by mouth and may not need the PCA.

PCA pump button

Patient instructions:

Children know how much pain they feel and should be the only ones pushing the PCA button. Push the button when:

• When they are in pain. It takes about 5 to 10 minutes for the medicine to start working.

• When they are getting ready for an activity such as turning in bed, walking, or going to the bathroom.

• Ten minutes before therapy, procedures, or activities that may cause pain, and then once the activity or therapy begins.

Caregiver support

• Make sure that the button is easy to reach.

• Remind your child to push the button if they are in pain. 

• The nurses and doctors will check your child's comfort level. Because you know your child best, be sure to tell a healthcare team member if they are uncomfortable. 

• Never push the button for your child. 

• You can use other ways to help your child cope with pain such as relaxation, deep breathing, art, music, reading, and video games. If you have any questions, please ask a member of your healthcare team. 

• Tell a member of the healthcare team if your child seems uncomfortable.

Side effects

The most common side effects of pain medicine are: 

• Sleepiness

• Nausea (upset stomach)

• Constipation (not able to go to the bathroom)

• Vomiting (throwing up)

• Itching

We can give your child medicines to help with these side effects. Talk with the healthcare team if your child has side effects from the pain medicines.

Reviewed March 2024 by Keara Bradley, CRNP, Michele Bythrow, CRNP, Maureen Scollon-McCarthy, CRNP