Ellen Watson is a 65-year-old white woman who just had a colon resection for a cancerous tumor. The surgeon ordered a morphine PCA pump to control the pain. Mrs. Watson has severe arthritis in her hands and lower back. She is on a daily NSAID to control the pain related to the arthritis. Her daughter Marie is staying with her during the hospitalization because Mrs. Watson is a widow. Mrs. Watson has not had surgery before, so she is not sure what to expect. She is upset about the diagnosis of cancer. Lana Bridges is a student nurse assigned to care for Mrs. Watson. She is in her last clinical rotation and will be administering all medications with her instructor’s supervision. 2.  Mrs. Watson tells Lana that she is worried about getting addicted to the morphine because she has heard that it can happen. How should Lana respond? A. “Don’t worry. The cancer prevents you from becoming addicted.” B. “It is okay. Because you have severe pain, the medication is necessary. There is little chance of addiction.” C. “That is a valid worry. I wouldn’t want to become addicted.” D. “My cousin was addicted to pain killers when he had cancer.” 3. Lana is developing Mrs. Watson’s care plan. She wants to add more interventions and not just deliver pain medication. What are some other nursing actions that would be helpful to Mrs. Watson? ( .) A. Relaxation techniques B. Distractions such as music C. Cold or heat applications D. Massage 4. Lana is assigned to Mrs. Watson 2 days later. While she is in the room, Mrs. Watson tells Lana that she is afraid of the cancer because there is always so much pain associated with it. She asks Lana how to they treat cancer pain. How should Lana respond to this question? 5. Visit the American Pain Society website (www.ampainsoc.org), access the resources page (http://americanpainsociety.org/education/resources), and report three facts new to them about pain management or resources. Fact One Fact Two Fact Three 6. How can knowledge gained from the new facts about pain management improve nursing practice )?

2. When Mrs. Watson expresses her concern about becoming addicted to morphine, Lana should respond with option B: “It is okay. Because you have severe pain, the medication is necessary. There is little chance of addiction.” This response addresses Mrs. Watson’s worry and provides her with accurate information. It reassures her that the morphine is necessary for pain control and that the risk of addiction is low in this situation.

It is important for the nurse to educate the patient about the appropriate use of opioids and dispel any misconceptions they may have. Mrs. Watson’s concern about addiction to morphine is a common one, as there is often a stigma associated with opioids and addiction. By providing reassurance and accurate information, Lana can help alleviate Mrs. Watson’s fears and promote understanding.

3. In addition to delivering pain medication, Lana can implement several other nursing actions that would be helpful to Mrs. Watson. Some possible interventions include:

A. Relaxation techniques: Lana can teach Mrs. Watson relaxation techniques such as deep breathing exercises, guided imagery, or progressive muscle relaxation. These techniques can help Mrs. Watson manage her anxiety and reduce her perception of pain.

B. Distractions such as music: Lana can provide Mrs. Watson with distractions such as music or audio books to help divert her attention away from the pain. Distractions can be effective in reducing pain perception and improving the overall experience for the patient.

C. Cold or heat applications: Lana can apply cold or heat packs to Mrs. Watson’s hands or lower back to provide localized pain relief. Cold therapy can help reduce inflammation and swelling, while heat therapy can relax muscles and increase blood flow to the area.

D. Massage: Lana can use gentle massage techniques to help alleviate Mrs. Watson’s pain. Massage can promote relaxation, improve circulation, and release endorphins, which are natural pain-relieving substances produced by the body.

By incorporating these additional interventions, Lana can provide holistic care to Mrs. Watson and address her pain from multiple angles. This approach can enhance pain management and contribute to Mrs. Watson’s overall well-being.

4. When Mrs. Watson asks Lana how cancer pain is treated, Lana should respond by providing accurate and comprehensive information about cancer pain management. This may include:

– Explaining the use of a multidisciplinary approach, which involves a combination of pharmacological interventions (such as opioids, adjuvant medications, and localized numbing agents) and non-pharmacological interventions (such as physical therapy, relaxation techniques, and counseling).
– Discussing the importance of individualized treatment plans that take into account the specific characteristics of the pain, its impact on Mrs. Watson’s daily life, and her preferences and goals.
– Mentioning the availability of palliative care or hospice services, which can provide specialized pain management and support for patients with advanced cancer.
– Emphasizing the importance of open communication between Mrs. Watson and her healthcare team in order to adjust the pain management plan as needed and address any new or changing symptoms.

By providing Mrs. Watson with accurate and comprehensive information, Lana can empower her to actively participate in her own pain management and alleviate any anxiety or uncertainty she may have about cancer pain treatment.

5. Fact One: Pain management should be tailored to individual needs and preferences. This includes considering factors such as the type and severity of pain, previous treatment experiences, and personal goals.

Fact Two: There are various medications available for pain management, including non-opioid analgesics, opioids, and adjuvant medications. The selection of medication depends on the type of pain and its intensity.

Fact Three: Non-pharmacological interventions, such as physical therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and relaxation techniques, can play a significant role in pain management and complement pharmacological treatments.

6. Knowledge gained from the new facts about pain management can improve nursing practice in several ways:

A. Enhanced assessment: With a deeper understanding of individualized pain management, nurses can conduct more comprehensive pain assessments, considering various factors that may affect pain perception and tailoring interventions accordingly.

B. Improved patient education: Armed with up-to-date information about pain management, nurses can educate patients about the various treatment options available, addressing any concerns or misconceptions they may have and empowering them to actively participate in their own care.

C. Multidisciplinary collaboration: By staying informed about the latest pain management guidelines and resources, nurses can effectively collaborate with other healthcare professionals to develop holistic pain management plans that incorporate both pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions.

D. Ongoing evaluation and adjustment: With a broader knowledge base, nurses can regularly evaluate the effectiveness of pain management interventions and make necessary adjustments to ensure optimal pain control and patient comfort.

By continuously updating their knowledge and incorporating new evidence-based practices, nurses can improve pain management outcomes, promote patient satisfaction, and enhance overall quality of care.