The client asks the nurse why he is receiving combination therapy of opioid and nonopioid drugs to manage his pain. The nurse should explain which benefit of combination therapy?

Question

1. Combination therapy prevents addiction to the opioid drug.
2. Using combination therapy helps to relieve pain synergistically and decreases the risk of side effects.
3. Combination therapy eliminates the need for follow-up laboratory monitoring.
4. Combination therapy is standard therapy for all pain management clients.

Answer 1

Correct Answer: 2
Rationale 1: Although combination therapy can help avoid drug dependency, it does not prevent it.
Rationale 2: Combination therapy does help to relieve pain synergistically, uses a smaller dose of opioid drugs, and decreases related side effects.
Rationale 3: The client will still require regular follow-up monitoring with nonopioid drugs.
Rationale 4: Combination therapy is not standard therapy for all pain management clients.
Global Rationale: Combination therapy does help to relieve pain synergistically, uses a smaller dose of opioid drugs, and decreases related side effects. Although combination therapy can help avoid drug dependency, it does not prevent it. The client will still require regular follow-up monitoring with nonopioid drugs. Combination therapy is not standard therapy for all pain management clients.