A client with metastatic cancer reports a pain level of 10 on a scale of 0 to 10. Twenty minutes after the nurse administers an IV analgesic, the client reports no pain relief. Which intervention is most important for the nurse to include in this client's plan of care?
Replace transdermal analgesic patches every 72 hours.
Administer analgesics on a fixed and continuous schedule.
Monitor client for break through pain.
Frequently evaluate the client's pain.
The Correct Answer is C
C. Breakthrough pain is a transient exacerbation of pain that occurs despite the use of around- the-clock analgesics for persistent pain. Breakthrough pain episodes require rapid intervention with additional analgesics or adjustments to the current pain management regimen to provide adequate pain relief and improve the client's quality of life.
A. Replacing transdermal analgesic patches every 72 hours is important for ensuring consistent delivery of medication, but it is not directly related to addressing breakthrough pain.
B. Administering analgesics on a fixed and continuous schedule is important for maintaining baseline pain control, but it may not address breakthrough pain adequately.
D. Frequently evaluating the client's pain is essential, but monitoring specifically for breakthrough pain ensures timely intervention when pain exacerbations occur.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
C. Breakthrough pain is a transient exacerbation of pain that occurs despite the use of around- the-clock analgesics for persistent pain. Breakthrough pain episodes require rapid intervention with additional analgesics or adjustments to the current pain management regimen to provide adequate pain relief and improve the client's quality of life.
A. Replacing transdermal analgesic patches every 72 hours is important for ensuring consistent delivery of medication, but it is not directly related to addressing breakthrough pain.
B. Administering analgesics on a fixed and continuous schedule is important for maintaining baseline pain control, but it may not address breakthrough pain adequately.
D. Frequently evaluating the client's pain is essential, but monitoring specifically for breakthrough pain ensures timely intervention when pain exacerbations occur.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
D. Persistent pain following the resolution of herpes zoster, known as postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), is a common complication, especially in older adults. PHN can cause significant discomfort and affect the client's quality of life. Therefore, it is essential for the nurse to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the client's pain to better understand its characteristics, severity, duration, aggravating or alleviating factors, and impact on daily activities.
A. Patient education should follow a complete assessment of the pain to ascertain the diagnosis.
B. Performing a complete mental status exam is not indicated solely based on the client's report of persistent pain from herpes zoster.
C. Determining if the client has had a shingles vaccination is important for preventive healthcare, but it is not the priority action in addressing the client's current pain concern related to PHN. The focus should be on assessing and managing the client's pain to improve their comfort and well-being.
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