The nurse is caring for a cancer patient with ongoing pain from widespread metastasis to the bones. The nurse notes that the patient's morphine dosage had to be increased to sufficiently manage the discomfort. What is the nurse's interpretation of this assessment finding?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Drug tolerance is an adaptation to the medication, which eventually leads to less effective pain relief. The patient is requiring higher doses of narcotic pain medication because of this tolerance. This is common when patients require long-term pain medication. Since the patient is taking morphine to control ongoing pain, the patient is not addicted to it. Need for increased morphine dosage is not indicative of drug abuse or a wish to die.

The Nurse Is Caring for a Cancer Patient with Ongoing