The nurse is accepting care of an adult patient who has been experiencing severe and intractable pain. When reviewing the patients medication administration record, the nurse notes the presence of gabapentin (Neurontin). The nurse is justified in suspecting what phenomenon in the etiology of the patients pain?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The anticonvulsants gabapentin (Neurontin) and pregabalin (Lyrica) are first-line analgesic agents for neuropathic pain. Neuroplasticity is the ability of the peripheral and central nervous systems to change both structure and function as a result of noxious stimuli; this does not likely contribute to the patients pain. Similarly, psychosomatic factors and misperception of pain are highly unlikely.

The Nurse Is Accepting Care of an Adult Patient Who