A client who has been prescribed a narcotic for chronic back pain is d

A client who has been prescribed a narcotic for chronic back pain is demonstrating signs of withdrawal. The nurse identifies these symptoms as being

1. physical dependence.
2. psychological dependence.
3. plateau.
4. drug allergy.

ANSWER

Correct Answer: 1
Rationale 1: Physiological dependence is due to biochemical changes in body tissues, especially the nervous system. These tissues come to require the substance for normal functioning. A dependent person who stops using the drug experiences withdrawal symptoms.
Rationale 2: Psychological dependence is emotional reliance on a drug to maintain a sense of well-being, accompanied by feelings of need or cravings for that drug. There are varying degrees of psychological dependence, ranging from mild desire to craving and compulsive use of the drug.
Rationale 3: Plateau is a maintained concentration of a drug in the plasma during a series of scheduled doses.
Rationale 4: A drug allergy is an immunologic reaction to a drug. When a client is first exposed to a foreign substance, the body might react by producing antibodies. A client can react to a drug in the same manner as an antigen and thus develop symptoms of an allergic reaction.