A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a newly licensed nurse about pain management during the end of life. Which of the following statements should the nurse make?
A.
“Discomfort is expected in clients who are at the end-of-life.”
B.
Opioid narcotics can cause loose stools and diarrhea in clients.”
C.
Pain is expected in older adult clients.”
D.
Clients are often afraid that opioid narcotics can result in addiction.”
The Correct answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is:
D. “Clients are often afraid that opioid narcotics can result in addiction.”
Explanation:
End-of-life pain management is a critical aspect of palliative care, aiming to provide comfort and quality of life for clients nearing the end of their life. Among the options provided, statement D reflects a key concern that clients and their families often have about opioid use during end-of-life care.
Opioid Concerns and Misconceptions: Opioids are essential for managing severe pain, especially in terminal conditions. However, there is a prevalent fear among clients and their families that opioid narcotics might lead to addiction. This concern arises from the general stigma associated with opioids and the fear of misuse or dependency. It is crucial to address this fear with accurate information and reassurance. In the context of end-of-life care, the primary goal is pain relief and maintaining the client’s quality of life, not addiction. At this stage, the focus is on managing symptoms and providing comfort rather than worrying about addiction.
Pain Management at End-of-Life: Effective pain management at the end of life often involves the use of opioids due to their potent analgesic effects. Nurses should educate clients and families that addiction is not a concern in end-of-life care because the use of opioids is for pain relief and not for achieving a high or increasing dose over time. The proper use of opioids can greatly enhance the quality of life and ensure comfort during the dying process.
Addressing Misconceptions: When reinforcing teaching about pain management, it is important for nurses to help clients and their families understand that opioid use in end-of-life care is about improving quality of life and providing comfort. Educating clients about the nature of pain management, the safety of opioid use in this context, and addressing fears of addiction can help alleviate anxiety and ensure better compliance with pain management plans.
In summary, while all statements touch on aspects of pain management, statement D addresses a common and significant concern related to opioid use in end-of-life care, making it the most relevant and important to discuss with new nurses.