Question

While caring for a patient with cancer pain, the nurse knows that the World Health Organization (WHO) analgesic ladder recommends:

A. Transitioning use of adjuvants with nonsteroidal antiinfl ammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to opioids.
B. Using acetaminophen for refractory pain.
C. Limiting the use of opioids because of the likelihood of side effects.
D. Avoiding total sedation, regardless of how severe the pain is.

Answer 1

The correct answer to the question is A, which advises transitioning from NSAIDs to opioids for cancer pain management following the WHO analgesic ladder, under strict medical supervision.

Step-by-step explanation:

When considering the World Health Organization (WHO) analgesic ladder for a patient with cancer pain, the recommendation focuses on a stepwise approach to pain management. The ladder outlines that patient treatment should begin with non-opioid analgesics like acetaminophen and NSAIDs, and only ascend to opioids when necessary and under a doctor's supervision, due to the risks of side effects and addiction. Thus, the correct answer is: A. Transitioning use of adjuvants with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to opioids if the pain escalates and is not adequately managed by milder pain relievers.