You are caring for a patient with sickle cell disease in her home. Over the years, there has been joint damage, and the patient is in chronic pain. The patient has developed a tolerance to pain medication
When does the tolerance to pain medication become a problem?
A) When delivering or administering the medication
B) When dealing with the withdrawal symptoms from the tolerance
C) When having to report the patient's addiction to her physician
D) When the family becomes concerned about increasing dosage
Ans: A
Feedback: Tolerance to opioids is common and becomes a problem primarily in terms of delivering or administering the medication (eg, how to administer very large doses of morphine to a patient). Option B is relevant; symptoms of physical dependence may occur when opiates are discontinued, but they are not usually a problem. Option C is incorrect; this patient does not have an addiction. Option D is incorrect; tolerance to pain medication is not a problem here; educating the family is what is necessary.
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