Medical Surgical NCLEX RN Related

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A client with lung cancer is being cared for by his wife at home. His pain is increasing in severity. The nurse recognizes that teaching has been effective when the wife does which of the following? Select all that apply.

  • A. Administers long-acting or sustained-release oral pain formula (OxyContin) regularly around-the-clock.
  • B. Administers immediate-release medication (oxycodone) for breakthrough pain.
  • C. Avoids long-acting opioids due to her concern about addiction.
  • D. Uses music for distraction as well as heat or cold in combination with medications.
  • E. Substitutes acetaminophen (Tylenol) to avoid tolerance to the medications.
  • F. Has her husband use a pain rating scale to measure the effectiveness at reaching his individual pain goal.
Correct Answer: A,B,D,F

Rationale: Effective pain management includes around-the-clock long-acting opioids (A), immediate-release opioids for breakthrough pain (B), non-pharmacologic methods like music or heat/cold (D), and using a pain scale to assess effectiveness (F). Avoiding long-acting opioids (C) or substituting acetaminophen (E) is not appropriate for severe cancer pain.