MEDizzy - A client who is near death is receiving hospice care to

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Oncology

A client who is near death is receiving hospice care to manage severe pain. The client is receiving a narcotic pain medication intravenously per a patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pump. The client is lethargic and is sleeping much of the time. He has not complained of any pain for the last 12 hr. The nurse plans care based on the fact that the client:

ExplanationThe client is likely becoming more comatose and is not self-administering the pain medication. The client is not receiving too much medication because the PCA pump has controls to prevent overdose. The client is likely having pain, but is not able to recognize it. There is no indication that the IV has infiltrated.