The nurse is preparing an analgesic infusion for a cancer patient who is in pain and is nearing the end of life. What should the nurse do to ensure this patient's comfort?
1. Titrate the medication to help with pain relief and not hasten the dying process.
2. Use meperidine in the infusion.
3. Limit the amount of medication infused.
4. Contact the pharmacy for the correct dose to provide the patient.
1
Rationale 1: The nurse should titrate the medication to reduce the patient's pain but not hasten the dying process.
Rationale 2: Meperidine is not recommended for pain because it could cause seizures.
Rationale 3: The patient may have been receiving pain medication for cancer treatment and may have some tolerance to the medication. Limiting the amount of medication infused will result in inadequate pain control.
Rationale 4: There is no set dosage for pain medications at the end of life.
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