Moderate

A patient with advanced cancer reports severe pain rated 8 out of 10 despite the prescribed opioid. What should the nurse do first?

Correct answer: B. Assess the pain and administer prescribed rescue analgesia

  • A. Withhold the next opioid dose because dependence is possible
  • B. Assess the pain and administer prescribed rescue analgesia
  • C. Tell the patient that severe pain is expected in advanced cancer
  • D. Wait until the next scheduled dose before reassessing

Explanation

The nurse should assess the pain, including its site, character and associated symptoms, then give prescribed breakthrough analgesia and reassess its effect. Cancer pain should be treated promptly; fear of dependence alone is not a reason to withhold appropriate opioid therapy.

Submitted by a TestUstad contributor and published by the TestUstad editorial teamLast updated
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Covers cancer biology, tumour staging, common malignancies and nursing care during surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy and palliative treatment. It includes managing nausea, pain, fatigue, mucositis, neutropenia and extravasation, while distinguishing expected treatment effects from dangerous complications requiring urgent action.

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