A patient tells the nurse that when he takes codeine, he gets nauseated and itchy. The nurse realizes that the patient is describing which of the following?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Allergic reactions to opioids are extremely rare and are usually due to the preservatives, dyes and other additives in the opioid. Though patients may state they are "allergic", but with further questioning, reveal that the nausea and vomiting, itching or sedation occur when given a particular opioid at a certain dose. The only absolute contraindication to the use of an opioid is a history of a hypersensitivity reaction, as evidenced by wheezing or edema. The patient is describing a reaction to the additives in the codeine, not describing a true allergic reaction. There is not enough information to determine if the patient is experiencing an exacerbation of the illness or inadequate clearance of the medication from his system.

A Patient Tells the Nurse That When He Takes Codeine