A patient has been treated for lung cancer for 3 years. Over the past few months, the patient has noticed that the opioid analgesic is not helping as much as it had previously and more medication is needed for the same pain relief. The nurse is aware that this patient is experiencing which of these?

Hemoglobin A1C is a blood test that provides an average blood glucose level over the past 2-3 months. Regular monitoring of A1C levels helps to assess the effectiveness of lifestyle modifications and treatment plans and guides adjustments in management if necessary.

Daily exercise is another essential aspect of managing pre-diabetes. Regular physical activity helps improve insulin sensitivity, promotes weight management, and reduces the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The nurse should educate patients on the importance of incorporating physical activity into their daily routine and provide recommendations on suitable exercise types and durations.

While other options may be relevant for patients with diabetes, they are not specifically tailored to pre-diabetes, which is a condition where blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not yet meeting the criteria for diabetes.

Hypoglycemia and injection site infection are more relevant concerns for individuals with diabetes who require insulin or other medications to manage their blood sugar levels. Increasing carbohydrate intake and administering insulin are not appropriate recommendations for pre-diabetes management, as they can contribute to elevated blood glucose levels.

Aspiration refers to the inhalation of gastric contents or other substances into the respiratory tract. During surgery, when the patient is under general anesthesia, the protective airway reflexes may be suppressed, increasing the risk of aspiration. If stomach contents enter the lungs, it can lead to aspiration pneumonia, respiratory distress, and other complications.

While myocardial infarction (MI), hernia, and cerebral vascular accident (CVA) are possible complications that can occur during surgery, they are not specifically related to airway issues.

MI is a cardiac event involving the blood supply to the heart muscle, hernia refers to the protrusion of an organ or tissue through an abnormal opening, and CVA refers to a disruption of blood flow to the brain. These complications can have various causes but are not directly related to the airway during surgery.