A patient who is addicted to heroin is admitted to the hospital for treatment of an infection. The patient is prescribed methadone (Dolophine) as part of a detoxification program. What is the rationale for using methadone in this patient?

The correct answer is choice A, B, C, and D.Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that has anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic effects.It works by inhibiting the synthesis of prostaglandins, which are involved in inflammation, pain, and fever.However, ibuprofen can also cause adverse effects such as gastric irritation, bleeding complications, renal impairment, and hypersensitivity reactions.

Therefore, the nurse should instruct the client to:

• Take ibuprofen with food or milk to prevent gastric irritation.This will reduce the direct contact of the drug with the stomach lining and decrease the risk of ulcers and bleeding.

• Drink at least 2 liters of fluid per day to prevent renal impairment.This will help maintain adequate hydration and renal perfusion and prevent the accumulation of ibuprofen in the kidneys.

• Avoid alcohol and other NSAIDs to prevent bleeding complications.Alcohol and other NSAIDs can increase the risk of gastric bleeding by interfering with the protective effects of prostaglandins on the stomach mucosa.

• Report any signs of hypersensitivity such as rash, itching, or wheezing.These may indicate an allergic reaction to ibuprofen that can be serious or life-threatening.

Choice E is wrong because ibuprofen does not affect blood pressure significantly.However, some other NSAIDs such as celecoxib may increase the risk of cardiovascular events such as thrombosis, myocardial infarction, and stroke.Therefore, clients with hypertension or cardiovascular disease should use NSAIDs with caution and monitor their blood pressure regularly.

The correct answer is choice A, B, C, and E. The nurse should use the following strategies to assess this client’s pain:

• Ask yes or no questions: This can help the client to communicate their pain level and location with minimal language difficulty.

• Use a visual analog scale (VAS): This is a self-report pain scale that uses a line with endpoints labeled as “no pain” and “worst pain imaginable”.The client can point to a position on the line that corresponds to their pain intensity.VAS has been shown to be feasible, valid, and reliable for stroke patients with mild-to-moderate aphasia.

• Observe for nonverbal cues: This can include facial expressions, body movements, vocalizations, and changes in vital signs that may indicate pain.Nonverbal cues are especially important for clients with severe aphasia who cannot use self-report scales.

• Involve family members or caregivers: They can provide information about the client’s pain history, preferences, and behaviors that may indicate pain.They can also help the nurse to communicate with the client and interpret their responses.

Choice D is wrong because open-ended questions require more complex language skills and may frustrate the client with aphasia.The nurse should use simple and direct questions that can be answered with yes or no, gestures, or pointing.