A person who is using PCA:
(1) must be able to operate the pump correctly
(2) must be able to understand how to use PCA
Patients who are not suitable candidates for PCA:
(1) a pediatric patient < 5 years of age
(2) a patient who is confused (elderly, from medication, after head injury, etc)
(3) a patient with moderate to severe intellectual impairment
(4) a patient with an impaired level of consciousness
(5) a patient with risk factors for respiratory depression (severe obesity, asthma, obstructive sleep apnea, other)
(6) a patient receiving a concurrent drug or with a concurrent illness that may unexpectedly potentiate the effect of the opiate
(7) a patient who is unable to effectively control the device (paralysis, etc).
