A client has been started on a medication for postoperative pain. When does the nurse anticipate the client will receive optimal pain relief?

Question

1. When the drug concentrates in the muscle tissue
2. When the drug reaches a therapeutic range
3. When the drug achieves a minimal effective concentration
4. When the drug approaches a toxic concentration

Answer 1

Correct Answer: 2
Rationale 1: The drug does not have to concentrate in muscle tissue in order to relieve pain.
Rationale 2: The goal of therapy is to reach and maintain a plasma level in the therapeutic range.
Rationale 3: The client might experience some pain relief at a minimum effective concentration but probably not optimal pain relief.
Rationale 4: A toxic concentration does not need to be reached in order to achieve pain relief; in fact, it should be avoided.
Global Rationale: The goal of therapy is to reach and maintain a plasma level in the therapeutic range. The drug does not have to concentrate in muscle tissue in order to relieve pain. The client might experience some pain relief at a minimum effective concentration but probably not optimal pain relief. A toxic concentration does not need to be reached in order to achieve pain relief; in fact, it should be avoided.