Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 73%
Simulated
A hospice nurse is caring for a client who has terminal illness and reports severe pain. After the nurse administers the prescribed opioid and benzodiazepine, the client becomes somnolent and difficult to arouse. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Correct answer
D
Rationale
Withholding the benzodiazepine reduces sedation while maintaining pain relief with the opioid. Continuing both worsens somnolence, NSAIDs are inadequate for severe pain, and withholding the opioid compromises pain control.