Author Question: When caring for a client who is experiencing continuous severe pain, the nurse should expect that ... (Read 53 times)

dakota nelson · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

When caring for a client who is experiencing continuous severe pain, the nurse should expect that the pain management plan would include:

1. Focusing on intramuscular administration of analgesics
2. Waiting for pain to become more intense before administering opioids
3. Administering opioids with nonopioid analgesics for severe pain experiences
4. Administering large doses of opioids initially to clients who have not taken the medications before

Question 2

The client is experiencing breakthrough pain while receiving opioids. An order is written for the client to receive a transmucosal fentanyl unit. In teaching about this medication, the nurse should instruct the client to:

1. Swab the unit over the cheeks
2. Do not chew the unit after administration
3. Take no more than two units per episode of discomfort
4. Allow the unit to dissolve slowly in the mouth over 15 minutes or more

chem1s3 · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 23, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: 3
To treat a client who is experiencing continuous severe pain, the nurse should expect the client to receive opioid and nonopioid analgesics for severe pain experiences. Intramuscular administration of analgesics is not expected because the injection itself is painful, and there may be inconsistent erratic absorption of the drug. The nurse should administer opioids before the client's pain be-comes intense. It is easier to maintain pain control than it is to get intense pain under control. Large doses of opioids are not given initially to clients who have not taken the medications be-fore because they may cause respiratory depression. The expectation is to begin with lower doses and titrate upward.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: 2
The unit needs to be left intact and not chewed. The unit is placed in the client's mouth and swabbed over the inside of the cheeks and lower gums. No more than two units should be used per breakthrough pain episode. The unit needs to be allowed to dissolve and absorb over a 15-minute period.