Pharmacy
PCA medical abbreviation
PCA means "patient-controlled analgesia".
On the ISMP List of Error-Prone Abbreviations. ISMP suggests: Write the full drug name.
Each meaning matched at least two public references (2 in all for PCA), checked October 23, 2026. The table lists them.
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What PCA means
| Meaning | Latin origin | Where used | Checked against |
|---|---|---|---|
| patient-controlled analgesia | None | Prescriptions, Pharmacy |
Example
Sample nursing note: "PCA pump settings checked."
A made-up line that shows the abbreviation in place. It is not about any patient and is not an instruction.
Related abbreviations
Elsewhere on Rivvi
Questions
What does PCA mean in medical terms?
PCA means "patient-controlled analgesia".
Where is PCA used?
PCA shows up in prescriptions and pharmacy. Its category here is pharmacy.
Is PCA on the Joint Commission Do Not Use list?
No, but ISMP lists PCA as an error-prone abbreviation. ISMP's suggested practice: Write the full drug name.