A client repeatedly asks the nurse "How much longer until I can get more pain medication?" Once the medication is provided, the client stops asking for it. The nurse identifies the client's behavior as being
1. addiction.
2. tolerance.
3. pseudoaddiction.
4. physical dependence.
Correct Answer: 3
Rationale 1: Addiction is characterized by the behaviors of compulsive use of pain medication, continued use despite harm, and craving.
Rationale 2: Tolerance is a state in which continued exposure to the medication causes changes that result in a reduction in the effectiveness of the medication over time.
Rationale 3: Pseudoaddiction is a condition that results from the under-treatment of pain where the client can become so focused on obtaining medications for pain relief that the client becomes angry and demanding, might "clock watch," and might display other inappropriate "drug-seeking" behaviors. To differentiate between pseudoaddiction and addiction, if the client's negative behavior resolves when the pain is treated effectively, the client is exhibiting pseudoaddiction.
Rationale 4: Physical dependence is a state of adaptation that manifests with withdrawal symptoms when the drug is stopped or drastically reduced.
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