The patient is admitted with chronic pain.She states that nothing takes the pain away totally,but that "Dilaudid does the best." The fact that the patient calls the medication by name should alert the nurse to:

Question

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It is important to assess the patient's acceptable level of comfort so that both you and the patient are striving for the same outcome.
Some patients with prior pain conditions can alert the nurse to pain-relieving measures that were successful.Patients with chronic/persistent pain are often familiar with the names and actions of medications,including opioid medications.This should not cause you to view the patient negatively or with suspicion.Patients currently receiving opioids for chronic pain often require higher doses of analgesics to alleviate new pain.Do not accept that "there is nothing that will help this patient's pain." Learn the institutional policy for how to proceed in this situation.

The Patient Is Admitted with Chronic Pain