A patient taking hydromorphone for cancer pain is experiencing constipation. What should the nurse teach to help this patient?
a. Take a mild laxative.
b. How to self-administer a Fleet enema.
c. Slowly decrease the dose of hydromorphone.
d. Eat a high-fiber diet and increase fluid intake.
ANS: D
A high-fiber diet and fluids are the first line of defense because they help prevent constipation. A. B. Laxatives and enemas treat constipation after it becomes a problem. C. It is inappropriate to encourage a patient with cancer pain to decrease analgesia, because pain will recur.
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