A 50-year-old woman is diagnosed with metastatic cervical cancer. The patient is treated with an opioid analgesic for bone pain that is well controlled . and recently she feel that the dose is ineffective and reports nausea, itching, and constipation. Her physician suggests to increase the opioid dose. The patient is concerned about side effects with higher dosages, noting that her son has a history of opioid dependence, and "I watched him suffer a lot of bad reactions." The physician explains the concept of tolerance to opioids and that high doses are commonly required to control pain. Over the next few weeks, the patient would likely experience which of the following?

Question

A 50-year-old woman is diagnosed with metastatic cervical cancer.  The patient is treated with an opioid analgesic for bone pain that is well controlled .  and recently she feel that the dose is ineffective and reports nausea, itching, and constipation. Her physician suggests to increase the opioid dose. The patient is concerned about side effects with higher dosages, noting that her son has a history of opioid dependence, and "I watched him suffer a lot of bad reactions."  The physician explains the concept of tolerance to opioids and that high doses are commonly required to control pain.  Over the next few weeks, the patient would likely experience which of the following?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Eductional Objective: Chronic opioid use leads to the development of tolerance to analgesic effects and most side effects, with the exception of constipation and miosis.  To prevent bowel complications, it is recommended that patients be treated prophylactically with adequate fluid intake and daily laxatives.

A 50-Year-Old Woman Is Diagnosed with Metastatic Cervical Cancer