An older patient who is dying has complained of ongoing pain for several days. What is the best way for this patient's pain to be treated at the end of life?
1. Give immediate-release medications routinely.
2. Refrain from administering pain medication at end of life.
3. Administer maximum doses of long and short-acting pain medication routinely.
4. Give long-acting medications routinely and immediate-release doses with breakthrough pain.
4. Give long-acting medications routinely and immediate-release doses with breakthrough pain.
Explanation: 1. Immediate-release agents are excellent prn medications and should only be used to control breakthrough pain.
2. Pain management is an important role of the nurse during end of life. Pain medication should not be withheld if the patient is in pain and pain medication is ordered.
3. Immediate-release agents are excellent prn medications. Long-acting agents are used for consistent pain. However, the patient's pain should be assessed and monitored, with the appropriate dosages given accordingly.
4. Long-acting drugs or sustained-release formulations are ideal because they provide consistent pain relief. Immediate-release agents are excellent prn medications and should only be used to control breakthrough pain.
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