Reference no: EM133981788

Question

NEUROLOGICAL MEDS ASSIGNEMENT

Read the scenario, analyze the drug response, overdose effect, rationale of the use of drugs.

You are assigned to care for a patient who is in the terminal phases of breast cancer. As a home health care nurse, you have many responsibilities; however, you have not cared for many patients who are in the terminal phase of their illness. In fact, most of your patients are postoperative and have only required assessments, dressing changes, and wound care. Mrs. D. is 48 years of age and underwent bilateral mastectomy 4 years ago. She had lymph node involvement at the time of surgery, and recently has been diagnosed with metastasis to the bone. She has been taking oxycodone (one 5-mg tab every 6 hours) at home but is not sleeping through the night and is now complaining of increasing pain to the point that her quality of life has decreased significantly. She wants to stay at home during the terminal phases of her illness but needs to have adequate and safe pain control. Her husband of 18 years is very supportive. They have no children. They are both college graduates and have medical insurance.

1. Mrs. D.'s recent increase in pain has been attributed to bone metastasis in the area of the lumbarspine. At this time, the oxycodone is not beneficial, and you as the home health care nurse need to advocate for Mrs. D. to receive adequate pain relief. When discussing her pain medications with her physician, what type of medication would you expect to be ordered to relieve the bone pain, and what is the rationale for this medication?

2. Mrs. D.'s husband confides in you that he is worried that she will become addicted to the new medication. He is not sure he agrees with around-the clock dosing. How do you address his concerns?

3. What should Mr. D. do if he feels that Mrs. D. has had an overdose?