Which of the following is the best way for the nurse to manage pain for a patient with chronic pain from arthritis?
a. Administer pain medication before any activity.
b. Provide intravascular bolus as needed for breakthrough pain.
c. Give medications around-the-clock.
d. Administer pain medication only when nonpharmacological measures have failed.
ANS: C
When a patient with arthritis has chronic pain, the best way to manage pain is to take medication regularly throughout the day to maintain constant pain relief. "Before activity" is nonspecific, and the medication may not have time to work before activity. If the patient waits until having pain to take the medication, pain relief takes longer. Nonpharmacological measures are used in conjunction with medications unless requested otherwise by the patient.
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