Question

A patient with chronic low back pain who took an opioid around-the-clock (ATC) for the past year decided to abruptly stop the medication for fear of addiction. He is now experiencing shaking, chills, abdominal cramps, and joint pain. The nurse recognizes that the patient is experiencing symptoms of:

1. Opioid toxicity
2. Opioid tolerance
3. Opioid addiction
4. Opioid withdrawal

Answer 1

The patient's symptoms suggest they are experiencing opioid withdrawal, which occurs after stopping opioid use suddenly following prolonged use. Medication-assisted treatment can alleviate withdrawal symptoms and support recovery.

Step-by-step explanation:

The patient experiencing shaking, chills, abdominal cramps, and joint pain after abruptly stopping long-term around-the-clock (ATC) opioid use is likely experiencing symptoms of opioid withdrawal. Abrupt cessation of opioids, especially after chronic use, can lead to a set of symptoms that mirror a severe case of flu due to the sudden lack of the drug that the body has become dependent on. Treatment for opioid addiction and managing withdrawal symptoms may involve medications such as methadone or buprenorphine to ease the withdrawal process and reduce cravings, alongside support from organizations such as Narcotics Anonymous (NA).