Question

A patient had a bowel resection 5 days ago. Which request by the patient might alert the nurse that the patient has a history of substance abuse?

1)Oral pain medication once every 6 to 8 hours
2)Patient-controlled analgesic
3)Oral pain medications instead of the IM form
4)Only nonpharmacological pain measures

Answer 1

A request for patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) may indicate a history of substance abuse in a patient following a bowel resection, as it allows for self-administration of potentially addictive opioids like morphine or oxycodone.

Step-by-step explanation:

A request that may alert a nurse to a patient's potential history of substance abuse following a bowel resection is a desire for patient-controlled analgesia (PCA). PCAs allow patients to self-administer pain medication, typically opioids such as morphine or oxycodone, through an IV at the push of a button. Since opioids have a high potential for addiction and misuse, a preference for PCA over scheduled dosing can be concerning, especially if the patient insists on this method despite alternatives being available. After surgery, pain management is crucial, and while PCA is a legitimate way to control pain, caution should be exercised given the potential for addiction. According to a crisis that began in the 1990s due to the mass-marketing of opioid medications, even prescribed use can result in misuse and addiction.