A patient who is a heroin addict is admitted to a methadone substitution program. After administering the first dose of methadone, the nurse notes that the patient shows signs of euphoria and complains of nausea. What will the nurse do?
a. Administer nalmefene (Revex).
b. Contact the provider to obtain an order for naloxone (Narcan).
c. Question the patient about heroin use that day.
d. Suspect that the patient exaggerated the amount of heroin used.
ANS: D
Patients entering a methadone substitution program must be carefully questioned about the amount of heroin used; patients may exaggerate the amount used to obtain higher doses of methadone or may minimize the amount used to downplay the extent of their addiction. In patients who exaggerate use, the amount of methadone given may cause euphoria, nausea, and vomiting. Nalmefene and naloxone are used to treat overdose and are not indicated. A patient receiving methadone along with a usual heroin dose would be likely to have signs of toxicity.
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