The client awakens at 3:00 AM requesting pain medication, but the nurse does not administer additional pain medication. Which justifies the nurse's decision to withhold the medication?

Question

1. The client had a reaction to aspirin 5 years ago.
2. The nurse wants to help the client avoid drug addiction.
3. The client is asleep when the nurse returns with analgesia.
4. The client wants pain medication every hours exactly.

Answer 1

3
3. The nurse decides to withhold the medication after finding the client asleep be-cause the nurse owes the client a duty to maintain safety. The nurse receives contra-dictory messages about the client's pain level because the client relaxed enough to fall asleep again. To avoid oversedation and complications, the nurse withholds the medication but assesses the client for other indicators of pain before leaving the room. The nurse promptly administers pain medication if other indicators of pain are present or when the client awakens.
1. As long as the analgesic does not contain aspirin, the nurse should administer the medication.
2. Frequently nurses feel a duty to protect clients from drug addiction and to withhold pain medication when they suspect the client exhibits addictive behavior or the client asks for too much pain medication, in the nurse's opinion. Experts, including The Joint Commission, agree that health care professionals should rely on the client's report of pain and the client is the only person who can determine the client's pain level. The client has the right to effective pain management, and the nurse is bound ethically to provide pain relief when the client asks for it.
4. The client is watching the clock and asking for pain medication on time. Many health care professionals describe this behavior as "drug seeking," means the client is seeking pain medication for unrelated reasons, and this description labels the client unfairly. This behavior can also indicate inadequate pain relief or the onset of a new client health problem. For these reasons, this type of client request for pain medica-tion warrants further investigation. To manage this situation, the nurse remembers the duty owed to the client, the client's right to pain relief, and the nurse's role as client advocate.