Question

A client questions how long it will take for the oral pain medication administered to begin to take effect. What information can be provided by the nurse?

Option 1: "The medication should start working within 5 minutes of administration."

Option 2: "You should feel relief within 30 minutes to an hour after taking the oral pain medication."

Option 3: "It may take a few hours for the medication to take full effect, depending on your body's response."

Option 4: "The pain medication will be effective immediately after ingestion."

Answer 1

Option 2 is correct, indicating that oral pain medication generally begins to provide relief within 30 minutes to an hour. Drug dosage factors and side effects are also important considerations.

Step-by-step explanation:

The onset of action for oral pain medications can vary depending on several factors, including the type of medication and individual patient differences. Option 2, which states "You should feel relief within 30 minutes to an hour after taking the oral pain medication," typically provides a more accurate general timeframe for when most oral pain relievers start to work. This is in contrast to intravenous administration, where the drug concentration peaks quickly, as depicted in a pharmacokinetic graph showing plasma concentration over time.

Factors that can affect drug dosage include the patient's age, body weight, renal function, liver function, and the presence of other medications that might interfere with the drug's efficacy or cause adverse effects. Common side effects of drugs may include nausea, drowsiness, and dizziness, and can be influenced by dosage, the patient's individual physiology, and potential interactions with other substances.