The nurse is caring for a patient with a diagnosis of vulvar cancer who has returned from the PACU after undergoing a wide excision of the vulva. How should this patient's analgesic regimen be best managed?
A) Analgesia should be withheld unless the patient's pain becomes unbearable.
B) Scheduled analgesia should be administered around-the-clock to prevent pain.
C) All analgesics should be given on a PRN, rather than scheduled, basis.
D) Opioid analgesics should be avoided and NSAIDs exclusively provided.
Ans: B
Feedback:
Because of the wide excision, the patient may experience severe pain and discomfort even with minimal movement. Therefore, analgesic agents are administered preventively (i.e., around the clock at designated times) to relieve pain, increase the patient's comfort level, and allow mobility. Opioids are usually required.
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