The harmful effects of uncontrolled pain and the importance of staying on top of pain, especially if patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) methods are to be used, should be explained preoperatively. While reviewing the pain treatment plan, patients are reminded that maintenance of adequate pain control will be a focus of care, and medications and other interventions will be administered to prevent and treat analgesic side effects. Taking adequate time during the preoperative interview to explain and practice the use of the self-report pain rating scale, establish comfort-function goals, and ensure understanding of PCA use will pay off in improved postoperative comprehension and performance.20 Patients should be told that the PACU nurse will manage their pain until they are able to report it and that they should let their nurse know if the comfort-function goal is not being met.20 Practical and effective nonpharmacologic pain management approaches are introduced and encouraged preoperatively as well.