Abstract:
Pain remains a highly prevalent and distressing symptom for people receiving palliative and end‑of‑life care, particularly when pain is severe, episodic, or unpredictable. Patient‑controlled analgesia (PCA) is one approach that may support timely relief of pain while promoting patient autonomy; however, its use in adult palliative care remains underutilised.
This presentation will explore the role of PCA in palliative and end‑of‑life care from a nursing perspective. It will outline how PCA works, the clinical rationale for its use, and the specific situations in which PCA may be beneficial for patients with advanced illness. Key considerations for patient selection, opioid choice, monitoring, and common risks—such as sedation and delirium—will be discussed, alongside ethical dimensions including consent, fluctuating capacity, and alignment with goals of care. Case examples will be used to prompt discussion and support application to practice.