Teach: PAIN MEDS

Question 1

What would you teach a patient taking an opioid analgesic?

Answer 1

1. Risk for dependency and abuse
2. Safety re: dizziness/ sedation/ medication regimen
3. Constipation prevention
4. Avoid alcohol/ CNS depressants

Question 2

What would you teach a patient taking a Triptan?

Answer 2

1. Promptly report HR, BP, and heart sxs.
2. Educate patient on reactions with ergot-containing drugs
3. Educate normal s/s

Question 3

What would you teach a patient taking a salicylate?

Answer 3

1. Do not cut/ crush d/t enteric coating
2. Report tinnitus
3. Report s/s of GI bleeding
4. Avoid alcohol
5. Potential herbal interactions
6. Interactions with BP medications

Question 4

What would you teach a patient taking NSAIDs?

Answer 4

1. Do not take longer than 10 days
2. Teach s/s of GI bleeding

Question 5

What would you teach a patient taking ketorolac (NSAID)?

Answer 5

1. Do not take longer than 5 days/ risks of taking longer than 5 days

Question 6

What would you teach a patient taking a non-narcotic analgesic?

Answer 6

1. Take w/ full glass of water for liver
2. Do not take w/ other acetaminophen medications
3. No more than 4000 mg/day for low-risk adult
4. No more than 3000 mg/day for geriatric
5. No more than 2000 mg/day for chronic alcoholism
6. Avoid alcohol when taking