Question

When administering analgesics to elderly patients, what information does the nurse need to understand?

a. Start with a low dose, and increase the dose as needed for pain relief.
b. Start with a high dose and decrease the dose as pain is relieved.
c. Start with a midrange dose and increase or decrease the dose as needed for pain.
d. Start with a low dose and decrease the dose every other day.

Answer 1

When administering analgesics to elderly patients, it is generally recommended to start with a low dose and increase the dose as needed for pain relief.

Step-by-step explanation:

When administering analgesics to elderly patients, the nurse needs to understand that it is generally recommended to start with a low dose and increase the dose as needed for pain relief. This approach allows for individualized pain management while minimizing the risk of side effects.

Higher doses of analgesics and narcotics can lead to drowsiness and loss of consciousness, so starting with a high dose and decreasing it as pain is relieved is not recommended.