A patient who has severe pain associated with terminal pancreatic cancer is being cared for at home by family members. Which finding by the nurse indicates that teaching regarding pain management has been effective?

Question

a. The patient uses the ordered opioid pain medication whenever the pain is greater than 5 (0 to 10 scale).
b. The patient agrees to take the medications by the IV route in order to improve analgesic effectiveness.
c. The patient takes opioids around the clock on a regular schedule and uses additional doses when breakthrough pain occurs.
d. The patient states that nonopioid analgesics may be used when the maximal dose of the opioid is reached without adequate pain relief.

Answer 1

ANS: C
For chronic cancer pain, analgesics should be taken on a scheduled basis, with additional doses as needed for breakthrough pain. Taking the medications only when pain reaches a certain level does not provide effective pain control. Although nonopioid analgesics also may be used, there is no maximum dose of opioid. Opioids are given until pain control is achieved. The IV route is not more effective than the oral route, and usually the oral route is preferred.