A client experiencing chronic pain is not getting relief with pain med

A client experiencing chronic pain is not getting relief with pain medication. What should the nurse do to help this client?

1. Ask the physician to change the prescribed pain medication.
2. Reassess the pain and consider another pain relief measure.
3. Limit interaction with the client.
4. Stop using alternative pain relief measures, if not effective.

ANSWER

Correct Answer: 2
Rationale 1: If a pain relief measure is ineffective, encourage the client to try it again before abandoning it. Medications might need repeated doses to saturate plasma proteins before sufficient “free drug” is available to work on the intended target.
Rationale 2: Keep trying. Do not ignore a client because pain persists despite failed attempts to alleviate the discomfort. In these circumstances, reassess the pain and consider other relief measures.
Rationale 3: The nurse should not ignore the client.
Rationale 4: Many nonpharmacologic measures require practice before they are effective.