A patient, 6 days postoperative, is being weaned off an opioid analgesic. The patient reports he is getting no relief from the pain with the new non-opioid medication he is receiving. What might the nurse suspect is causing this patient's pain?
A) The patient needs a higher dose of the opioid analgesic.
B) The patient has become addicted to the opioid medication.
C) The patient has developed withdrawal syndrome.
D) The patient has developed a cross-hypersensitive reaction.
C
Feedback:
Caution should be used in cases of physical dependence on a narcotic because a withdrawal syndrome may be precipitated, the narcotic antagonistic properties can block the analgesic effect, and so intensify the pain. It is important to differentiate between addiction and dependence because addiction generally does not occur in patients receiving narcotics for medical reasons. There is no indication of a hypersensitivity reaction. Giving a higher dose of the opioid would eliminate the progress made to date on weaning the patient from the narcotic, so attempts should be made to avoid this intervention.
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