Analgesic (Opioid) Drugs Flashcards
A patient was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last month, and has complained of a dull ache in the abdomen for the past 4 months. This pain has been gradually increasing, and the pain relievers taken at home are no longer effective. What type of pain is the patient experiencing?
a. Acute pain
b. Chronic pain
c. Somatic pain
d. Neuropathic pain
ANS: B
Chronic pain is associated with cancer and is characterized by slow onset, long duration, and dull, persistent aching. The patient‘s symptoms are not characteristics of acute pain, somatic pain, or neuropathic pain.
A 16-year-old field hockey player fell and twisted her ankle during a game. The nurse will expect to administer which type of analgesic?
a. Synthetic opioid, such as meperidine
b. Opium alkaloid, such as morphine sulfate
c. Opioid antagonist, such as naloxone HCL
d. Nonopioid analgesics, such as indomethacin
ANS: DSomatic pain, which originates from skeletal muscles, ligaments, and joints, usually responds to nonopioid analgesics such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The other options are not the best choices for somatic pain.
A patient had abdominal surgery this morning. The patient is groggy but complaining of severe pain around the incision. What is the most important assessment data to consider before the nurse administers a dose of morphine sulfate to the patient?
a. The patient‘s pulse rate
b. The patient‘s respiratory rate
c. The appearance of the incision
d. The date of the patient‘s last bowel movement
ANS: B
One of the most serious adverse effects of opioids is respiratory depression. The nurse must assess the patient‘s respiratory rate before administering an opioid. The other options are incorrect.
A 78-year-old patient is in the recovery room after having a lengthy surgery on his hip. As he is gradually awakening, he requests pain medication. Within 10 minutes after receiving a dose of morphine sulfate, he is very lethargic and his respirations are shallow, with a rate of 7 breaths/minute. The nurse prepares for which priority action at this time?
a. Assessment of the patient‘s pain level
b. Immediate intubation and artificial ventilation
c. Administration of naloxone (Narcan)
d. Close observation of signs of opioid tolerance
ANS: C
Naloxone, an opioid-reversal agent, is used to reverse the effects of acute opioid overdose and is the drug of choice for reversal of opioid-induced respiratory depression. This situation is describing an opioid overdose, not opioid tolerance. Intubation and artificial ventilation are not appropriate because the patient is still breathing at 7 breaths/min. It would be inappropriate to assess the patient‘s level of pain.
A patient will be discharged with a 1-week supply of an opioid analgesic for pain management after abdominal surgery. The nurse will include which information in the teaching plan?
a. How to prevent dehydration due to diarrhea
b. The importance of taking the drug only when the pain becomes severe
c. How to prevent constipation
d. The importance of taking the drug on an empty stomach
ANS: C
Gastrointestinal (GI) adverse effects, such as nausea, vomiting, and constipation, are the most common adverse effects associated with opioid analgesics. Physical dependence usually occurs in patients undergoing long-term treatment. Diarrhea is not an effect of opioid analgesics. Taking the dose with food may help minimize GI upset.
A patient has been treated for lung cancer for 3 years. Over the past few months, the patient has noticed that the opioid analgesic is not helping as much as it had previously and moremedication is needed for the same pain relief. The nurse is aware that this patient is experiencing which of these?
a. Opioid addiction
b. Opioid tolerance
c. Opioid toxicity
d. Opioid abstinence syndrome
ANS: B
Opioid tolerance is a common physiologic result of long-term opioid use. Patients with opioid tolerance require larger doses of the opioid agent to maintain the same level of analgesia. This situation does not describe toxicity (overdose), addiction, or abstinence syndrome (withdrawal).
A 38-year-old man has come into the urgent care center with severe hip pain after falling from a ladder at work. He says he has taken several pain pills over the past few hours but cannot remember how many he has taken. He hands the nurse an empty bottle of acetaminophen (Tylenol). The nurse is aware that the most serious toxic effect of acute acetaminophen overdose is which condition?
a. Tachycardia
b. Central nervous system depression
c. Hepatic necrosis
d. Nephropathy
ANS: C
Hepatic necrosis is the most serious acute toxic effect of an acute overdose of acetaminophen. The other options are incorrect.
A 57-year-old woman being treated for end-stage breast cancer has been using a transdermal opioid analgesic as part of the management of pain. Lately, she has been experiencing breakthrough pain. The nurse expects this type of pain to be managed by which of these interventions?
a. Administering NSAIDs
b. Administering an immediate-release opioid
c. Changing the opioid route to the rectal route
d. Making no changes to the current therapy
ANS: B
If a patient is taking long-acting opioid analgesics, breakthrough pain must be treated with an immediate-release dosage form that is given between scheduled doses of the long-acting opioid. The other options are not appropriate actions.
The nurse is reviewing herbal therapies. Which is a common use of the herb feverfew?
a. Muscle aches
b. Menstrual cramps
c. Joint pain
d. Incision pain after surgery
ANS: B
Feverfew is commonly used for migraine headaches, menstrual problems, arthritis, and fever.
A patient is to receive acetylcysteine as part of the treatment for an acetaminophen overdose. Which action by the nurse is appropriate when giving this medication?
a. Giving the medication undiluted for full effect
b. Avoiding the use of a straw when giving this medication
c. Disguising the flavor with soda or flavored water
d. Preparing to give this medication via a nebulizer
ANS: C
Acetylcysteine has the flavor of rotten eggs and so is better tolerated if it is diluted and disguised by mixing with a drink such as cola or flavored water to help increase its palatability. The use of a straw helps to minimize contact with the mucous membranes of the mouth and is recommended. The nebulizer form of this medication is used for certain types of pneumonia, not for acetaminophen overdose.
A patient is receiving gabapentin (Neurontin), an anticonvulsant, but has no history of seizures. The nurse expects that the patient is receiving this drug for which condition?
a. Inflammation pain
b. Pain associated with peripheral neuropathy
c. Depression associated with chronic pain
d. Prevention of seizures
ANS: B
Anticonvulsants are often used as adjuvants for treatment of neuropathic pain to enhance analgesic efficacy. The other indications listed are not correct.
The nurse is assessing a patient who has been admitted to the emergency department for a possible opioid overdose. Which assessment finding is characteristic of an opioid drug overdose?
a. Dilated pupils
b. Restlessness
c. Respiration rate of 6 breaths/min
d. Heart rate of 55 beats/min
ANS: C
The most serious adverse effect of opioid use is CNS depression, which may lead to respiratory depression. Pinpoint pupils, not dilated pupils, are seen. Restlessness and a heart rate of 55 beats/min are not indications of an opioid overdose.
The drug nalbuphine is an agonist-antagonist (partial agonist). The nurse understands that which is a characteristic of partial agonists?
a. They have anti-inflammatory effects.
b. They are given to reverse the effects of opiates.
c. They have a higher potency than agonists.
d. They have a lower dependency potential than agonists.
ANS: DPartial agonists such as nalbuphine are similar to the opioid agonists in terms of their therapeutic indications; however, they have a lower risk of misuse and addiction. They do not have anti-inflammatory effects, nor are they given to reverse the effects of opiates. They do not have a higher potency than agonists.
The nurse is assessing a patient for contraindications to drug therapy with acetaminophen (Tylenol). Which patient should not receive acetaminophen?
a. A patient with a fever of 101°F (38.3°C)
b. A patient who is complaining of a mild headache
c. A patient with a history of liver disease
d. A patient with a history of peptic ulcer disease
ANS: C
Liver disease is a contraindication to the use of acetaminophen. Fever and mild headache are both possible indications for the medication. Having a history of peptic ulcer disease is not a contraindication.
A patient arrives at the urgent care center complaining of leg pain after a fall when rock climbing. The radiographs show no broken bones, but he has a large bruise on his thigh. The patient says he drives a truck and does not want to take anything strong because he needs to stay awake. Which statement by the nurse is most appropriate?
a. ―It would be best for you not to take anything if you are planning to drive your truck.‖
b. ―We will discuss with your doctor about taking an opioid because that would work best for your pain.‖
c. ―You can take acetaminophen, also known as Tylenol, for pain, but no more than 1000 mg per day.‖
d. ―You can take acetaminophen, also known as Tylenol, for pain, but no more than 3000 mg/day.‖
ANS: D
Acetaminophen is indicated for mild-to-moderate pain and does not cause drowsiness, as an opioid would. Currently, the maximum daily amount of acetaminophen is 3000 mg/day. The 1000-mg amount per day is too low. Telling the patient not to take any pain medications is incorrect.
