Question

A patient with cancer pain is taking Morphine for pain relief. Knowing that constipation is a common side effect of opioids, what would the nurse recommend to the patient?

a. Only take the morphine when you have the most severe pain
b. Increase fluids and high fiber foods, and take your stool softener
c. Administer an enema to yourself every third day
d. Constipation is nothing to worry about, take your pain medication

Answer 1

A patient taking Morphine for cancer pain and experiencing constipation should increase fluid intake, high fiber foods, and take stool softeners to manage this side effect while continuing their pain management regimen. The option (B) is correct.

Step-by-step explanation:

A patient with cancer pain who is taking Morphine for pain relief and experiencing constipation should be advised to increase fluids and high-fiber foods and take their stool softener. This is because opioids like morphine can lead to gastrointestinal side effects, including constipation.

The patient needs to maintain a preemptive approach to managing this side effect, which includes dietary changes and possibly over-the-counter medications to ease bowel movements. An enema is not typically recommended as a first-line preventative treatment and should be considered only under certain circumstances or medical guidance. Moreover, the patient should not limit their use of pain medication based on the fear of constipation but rather manage the side effects effectively while continuing their pain management regimen. Therefore, option (B) is correct.