Author Question: How do morphine and other opioid pain medications relieve a patient's pain? a. They reduce tissue ... (Read 33 times)

Pineappleeh · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

How do morphine and other opioid pain medications relieve a patient's pain?

a. They reduce tissue damage and alter the physical problems causing the pain.
b. They bind to opioid receptors in the central nervous system and alter the percep-tion of pain.
c. They inhibit the generation of impulses along sensory nerve tracts and alter pain transmission.
d. They redirect substance P release from nociceptors and alter the amount of neu-rotransmitters reaching the brain.

Question 2

A patient who has been prescribed verapamil (Calan) develops skin lesions, itching, achy joints, and a temperature of 101 F. What is the nurse's best action?

a. Administer the as-needed dose of diphenhydramine (Benadryl).
b. Contact the prescriber and request an order for acetaminophen 650 mg.
c. Draw a set of blood cultures to detect any infection.
d. Hold the drug and notify the prescriber.

Ashley I · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 23, 2018

Answer to Question 1

B
Morphine and other opioid agonists do nothing to change the cause or transmission of pain. They bind to naturally occurring opioid receptor sites and alter a patient's perception of the painful experience.

Answer to Question 2

D
Skin lesions, itching, achy joints, and fever are signs of Stevens-Johnson syndrome, an adverse effect of class IV antidysrhythmic drugs (calcium channel blockers). These symptoms should be reported immediately to the prescriber and the drug should be held because this syndrome has the potential to be fatal.