Author Question: A client recovering from back surgery is refusing pain medication for fear of becoming addicted. ... (Read 111 times)

Yolanda · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

A client recovering from back surgery is refusing pain medication for fear of becoming addicted. What should the nurse say to the client?

1. I understand.
2. There are ways to treat addictions to pain medications.
3. If the medication is taken to treat pain, you will not become addicted to it.
4. All pain medication causes addiction. There is nothing that can be done to prevent it.

Question 2

A client's pain level is assessed as being severe. Which intervention would be the most applicable for the client at this time?

1. Provide NSAID medication as prescribed.
2. Coach the client with guided imagery.
3. Suggest the client read or watch television until the pain subsides.
4. Provide opioid analgesic as prescribed.

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

Answer to Question 1

Correct Answer: 3
Rationale 1: Stating that the nurse understands the client's concern is not sufficient. The nurse needs to explain how the pain medication will not likely lead to addiction.
Rationale 2: This response supports the client's fears of becoming addicted to pain medication.
Rationale 3: Clients are unlikely to become addicted to an analgesic provided to treat pain.
Rationale 4: Not all pain medication causes addiction. Clients are unlikely to become addicted to an analgesic that is provided to treat pain.

Answer to Question 2

Correct Answer: 4
Rationale 1: The selection of pain relief measures should be aligned with the client's report of the severity of the pain. If the client reports mild pain, an analgesic such as acetaminophen might be indicated.
Rationale 2: Using a technique such as guided imagery is essentially telling the client to ignore the pain, which is a misalignment of the pain severity and the intervention selected.
Rationale 3: Using a technique such as watching television is essentially telling the client to ignore the pain, which is a misalignment of the pain severity and the intervention selected.
Rationale 4: The selection of pain relief measures should be aligned with the client's report of the severity of the pain. If a client reports severe pain, a more potent pain relief measure is indicated.