The nurse is caring for a patient who has severe burning pain in the right arm caused by a compressed nerve in the neck. Which medications can be used along with a narcotic pain reliever to relieve the patient's pain until surgery can be performed to release the nerve?

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Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Tricyclic antidepressants like amitriptyline and anticonvulsants like gabapentin are often used to treat neuropathic pain because they work directly on the nervous system. They may be given along with narcotic pain medication to make the patient comfortable. Senna will relieve constipation and diphenhydramine will relieve itching. Ondansetron is used to relieve nausea and vomiting, whereas naloxone will reverse narcotic-induced respiratory suppression.

The Nurse Is Caring for a Patient Who Has Severe