Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 89%
Simulated
A hospice nurse is caring for a client who has terminal cancer and takes PO morphine for pain relief. The client reports that he had to increase the dose of morphine this week to obtain pain relief. Which of the following scenarios should the nurse document as the explanation for this situation?
Correct answer
A
Rationale
Correct Answer: A. The client developed a tolerance to the medication.
Rationale: Tolerance occurs when the body adapts to a medication over time, requiring higher doses to achieve the same effect. In this case, the client needing a higher dose of morphine for pain relief indicates tolerance. This is a common phenomenon with opioid medications like morphine in long-term pain management. Documenting tolerance helps healthcare providers adjust the medication regimen appropriately.
Incorrect Choices:
B: The client has not been taking the medication properly - This does not explain why the client needs a higher dose for pain relief.
C: The client is experiencing episodes of confusion - Confusion is not directly related to the need for increased pain medication.
D: The client has become addicted to the medication - Addiction is different from tolerance and does not explain the need for a higher dose for pain relief.
Rationale: Tolerance occurs when the body adapts to a medication over time, requiring higher doses to achieve the same effect. In this case, the client needing a higher dose of morphine for pain relief indicates tolerance. This is a common phenomenon with opioid medications like morphine in long-term pain management. Documenting tolerance helps healthcare providers adjust the medication regimen appropriately.
Incorrect Choices:
B: The client has not been taking the medication properly - This does not explain why the client needs a higher dose for pain relief.
C: The client is experiencing episodes of confusion - Confusion is not directly related to the need for increased pain medication.
D: The client has become addicted to the medication - Addiction is different from tolerance and does not explain the need for a higher dose for pain relief.