Introduction
Introduction ( 5 Questions)
A nurse is preparing to administer fentanyl patches to a client who has cancer pain. The client asks the nurse how long it will take for the patches to work. Which of the following responses should the nurse make?
You should not feel some pain relief within 15 minutes. Fentanyl patches are not immediate acting and they do not work that fast. Fentanyl nasal sprays, lollipops, injections, sublingual tablets and sprays are immediately acting and used for breakthrough pain.
You will not have maximum pain relief after one patch change. Fentanyl patches are usually changed every 72 hours, but the pain relief does not depend on how many times you change the patch. It depends on the dose of fentanyl that is appropriate for your level of pain.
You may need supplemental pain medication for the first day. This is because fentanyl patches are used for long lasting pain relief for constant, around the clock cancer pain, but they take some time to reach their full effect. According to one source, it can take up to 24 hours for the fentanyl patch to reach steady-state plasma concentrations. Therefore, you may need additional painkillers for breakthrough pain during the first day of using the patch.
You will not have a constant level of pain relief throughout the day. Fentanyl patches provide steady-state plasma concentrations of fentanyl, but this does not mean that your pain will be constant. Your pain may vary depending on different factors such as movement, activity, stress, or other causes. You may still need breakthrough pain medication as needed.
You may need supplemental pain medication for the first day. This is because fentanyl patches are used for long-lasting pain relief for constant, around-the-clock cancer pain, but they take some time to reach their full effect. According to one source, it can take up to 24 hours for the fentanyl patch to reach steady-state plasma concentrations. Therefore, you may need additional painkillers for breakthrough pain during the first day of using the patch.
Choice A is wrong because you should not feel some pain relief within 15 minutes. Fentanyl patches are not immediate acting and they do not work that fast. Fentanyl nasal sprays, lollipops, injections, sublingual tablets and sprays are immediately acting and used for breakthrough pain.
Choice B is wrong because you will not have maximum pain relief after one patch change. Fentanyl patches are usually changed every 72 hours, but the pain relief does not depend on how many times you change the patch. It depends on the dose of fentanyl that is appropriate for your level of pain.
Choice D is wrong because you will not have a constant level of pain relief throughout the day. Fentanyl patches provide steady-state plasma concentrations of fentanyl, but this does not mean that your pain will be constant. Your pain may vary depending on different factors such as movement, activity, stress, or other causes. You may still need breakthrough pain medication as needed.