Final answer:
When a client with a long history of using opioid pain medication reports back pain as a '10', the appropriate nursing action is to assess for opioid tolerance. Administering opioid medication without this assessment could potentially lead to overdose or addiction.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a client with a long history of using opioid pain medication reports back pain as a '10' on a scale of 1-10, the appropriate nursing action would be to assess for opioid tolerance. This means evaluating whether the client has developed a higher tolerance to opioids, which could be causing them to perceive higher levels of pain. It's important to determine if the client actually needs more pain relief or if their pain perception is influenced by their history of using opioids. Administering more opioid medication without this assessment could potentially lead to opioid overdose or addiction.
Before considering additional opioid pain relief or investigating non-opioid pain relief techniques (options c and d), it is crucial for the nurse to evaluate the client's opioid tolerance. This can be done by reviewing their medical history, previous medication usage, and assessing their response to opioids in the past. If it is determined that the client's pain is genuine and requires additional pain relief, then the appropriate action can be taken.