A client has been taking medication for back pain for several months, and has seen several different health care providers in efforts to receive pain medication. The nurse is concerned that the client is exhibiting
1. tolerance.
2. addiction.
3. physical dependence.
4. pseudoaddiction.
Correct Answer: 2
Rationale 1: 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 2: Addiction is characterized by the behaviors of compulsive use of pain medication, continued use despite harm, and craving.
Rationale 3: Physical dependence is a state of adaptation that manifests with withdrawal symptoms when the drug is stopped or drastically reduced.
Rationale 4: 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 seem to display other inappropriate "drug-seeking" behaviors.
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