A patient with chronic cancer pain experiences breakthrough pain (level 9 of 10) and anxiety while receiving sustained-release morphine sulfate (MS Contin) 160 mg every 12 hours. All these medications are ordered for the patient. Which one will be most appropriate for the nurse to administer first?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The severe breakthrough pain indicates that the initial therapy should be a rapidly acting opioid, such as the immediate-release morphine. The ibuprofen and amitriptyline may be appropriate to use as adjuvant therapy, but they are not likely to block severe breakthrough pain. Use of anti-anxiety agents for pain control is inappropriate because this patient's anxiety for this patient is caused by the pain.

A Patient with Chronic Cancer Pain Experiences Breakthrough Pain (Level