Question

A primary health care provider prescribes 10 mg of codeine every 4 hours to a patient who has chronic pain from cancer. However, after taking a second dose of the prescribed drug, the nurse notices that the patient is very drowsy and nauseous. Which dose alteration may provide effective pain relief while improving the drowsiness and nausea?

Option 1: 5 mg codeine every 4 hours
Option 2: 10 mg codeine every 8 hours
Option 3: 20 mg codeine every 8 hours
Option 4: 5 mg codeine every 12 hours

Answer 1

The nurse should consider altering the dose to 5 mg of codeine every 4 hours to provide effective pain relief while improving the drowsiness and nausea.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse should consider altering the dose to 5 mg of codeine every 4 hours to provide effective pain relief while improving the drowsiness and nausea. By reducing the dose to 5 mg, the patient may experience fewer side effects while still receiving some pain relief.

Codeine is an opioid that can cause drowsiness and nausea as side effects. A lower dose may help minimize these side effects while still providing some pain relief.

It's important to consult with the primary health care provider to determine the best course of action for the patient.