The home health nurse notes that the elderly patient doubled up on his pain medication, even though the prescribed dose was at a therapeutic level. The patient says, "If one pill is good, two pills are better."

Question

Which statement best describes the result of the patient's action?
1. The patient develops tolerance and does not experience any difference.
2. The patient experiences more pain relief from the additional dose.
3. The patient develops tolerance and will need increased doses of the drug.
4. The patient exhibits side effects from the additional dose.

Answer 1

Correct Answer: 4
Rationale: Once the plateau of a drug has been reached, increasing the dose may produce adverse effects. Once the plateau of a drug has been reached, increased doses will not provide added therapeutic benefit, such as more pain relief. Tolerance may occur, but is not the primary issue here.