A medical nurse is providing end-of-life care for a patient with metastatic bone cancer. The nurse notes that the patient has been receiving oral analgesics for her pain with adequate effect, but is now having difficulty swallowing the medication
What should the nurse do?
A) Request the physician to order analgesics by an alternative route.
B) Crush the medication in order to aid swallowing and absorption.
C) Administer the patient's medication with the meal tray.
D) Administer the medication rectally.
Ans: A
Feedback:
A change in medication route is indicated and must be made by a physician's order. Many pain medications cannot be crushed and given to a patient. Giving the medication with a meal is not going to make it any easier to swallow. Rectal administration may or may not be an option.
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