The nurse is caring for a patient recovering from surgery conducted in the previous 24 hours. What should the nurse do to assist this patient with pain control?
1. Administer prescribed analgesics around the clock.
2. Administer prescribed analgesics when the patient requests something for pain.
3. Assist the patient to a more comfortable position to reduce the amount of pain.
4. Offer the patient a back rub to reduce the amount of pain.
Correct Answer: 1
Established, persistent, severe pain is more difficult to treat than pain that is at its onset. Postoperative analgesics should be administered at regular intervals around the clock to maintain a therapeutic blood level. Administering analgesics as needed (prn) lowers this therapeutic level; delays in medication administration further increase pain intensity. "As needed" administration of analgesics is not recommended in the first 36 to 48 hours postoperatively. The nurse could help the patient into a more comfortable position and offer the patient a back rub to reduce the amount of pain, however, the nurse should provide the patient with the prescribed analgesics around the clock.
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