A nurse is describing a client to a nursing student as "watching the clock" for the next dose of pain medication, "liking pain medication too much," and being overly dramatic when expressing pain. This nurse described the client as addicted. The nursing instructor conferences with the student later, describing the client's behavior as
A) addicted, because the instructor agrees with the staff nurse's opinion.
B) consistent with increasing tolerance to the ordered pain medication.
C) displaying behaviors consistent with pseudoaddiction.
D) requiring the assistance of a psychiatric social worker.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In pseudoaddiction, the client displays behaviors consistent with addiction, but does so because his/her pain in inadequately treated and the client believes that by displaying such behaviors, the nurse will recognize the need to manage the client's pain better. True addiction is rare. Whether the client is becoming more tolerant to the medication or whether the staff is undermedicating the client can be decided later upon further investigation. The priority is "un-labeling" the client so that he/she gets adequate pain control. Then the nurse should investigate the reasons behind the lack of good control.

A Nurse Is Describing a Client to a Nursing Student