Final answer:
In managing symptoms with medications, healthcare teams follow certain principles such as using comfort measures to improve comfort, utilizing breakthrough doses for recurring symptoms, combining medications to manage symptoms and side effects effectively, recording and reporting side effects and concerns, and setting goals for pain relief.
Step-by-step explanation:
When it comes to making decisions about the administration of medications for symptom management, certain principles guide the healthcare team:
- Comfort measures may help improve comfort; these include administering medications that are known to provide symptom relief.
- Breakthrough doses are used when a symptom recurs between regularly scheduled doses, which is essential for managing pain effectively.
- A combination of medications may be necessary to control a symptom and side effects; this may include using opioids like morphine or oxycodone and non-opioid pain relievers in conjunction.
- Side effects and fears or concerns about medications should be recorded and reported to properly address any adverse reactions or patient hesitations regarding treatment.
- The team determines the goal for pain relief, often striving for a balance between effective symptom management and minimizing side effects.
It is important to note that the principle stating medications should be given only after pain occurs, not on a regular schedule, is generally contrary to modern pain management practices. Effective pain control often involves scheduled dosing to maintain a therapeutic medication level, preventing pain from reaching high levels that are harder to manage.