A patient recovering from outpatient carpal tunnel surgery returns to the surgical center the next day and tells the nurse that she is having trouble attending to daily activities and the pain is "excruciating,"
so she wants stronger pain medication immediately. What should this patient's behavior suggest to the nurse?
1. The patient could have a substance abuse problem.
2. A nerve was cut during the procedure.
3. The patient was not given strong enough postoperative pain medication.
4. The patient is under stress to return to work.
Correct Answer: 1
Abusers often have a low tolerance for frustration and pain. Since the patient had surgery the day before and is now reporting excruciating pain and demanding more pain medication, this could indicate that the patient has a substance abuse problem. There would be a sensorimotor deficit if the nerve had been cut during the procedure. There is not enough information to determine whether the patient was not given strong enough postoperative pain medication or whether the patient is under stress to return to work.
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