Opioids In Nursing
As nurses we all know how to measure a patients vital signs and what they are used for.
We have blood pressure, pulse, respirations, and temperature. All of the previous are objective they can be seen and quantified some way. However, the fifth vital sign “pain” is a relative and subjective term. It can’t be measured on any scale expect by what the patient tells us, we as healthcare providers can’t see it. We can only trust what our patient is telling us, and we can’t say otherwise. A person who rates their pain as a “10” for a stubbed toe versus another patient with a broken arm who says the pain is a “10” as well. Who is telling the truth? In reality it’s both, but in the back of a nurses mind is the question. Are you truly in pain or just …show more content…
Opiates, or opioids, are prescribed to relieve pain; they can also be used to relieve diarrhea and coughs, these are narcotics and addictive if misused. These drugs work by "attaching to specific proteins called opioid receptors, which are found in the brain, spinal cord, and gastrointestinal tract. When these drugs attach to certain opioid receptors, they can block the transmission of pain messages to the brain" (NIDA, 2001). The reason they are abused is due to the euphoric feeling they create. They do this by affecting specific regions of the brain that stimulates pleasure. This is why these are the most commonly abused prescription drugs. Although the medication is intended to be taken orally, individuals who are abusing have devised ways to either snort it or inject it, when sent home with a prescription, as these methods enhance and quicken the …show more content…
A patient coming to the ER for an abusive “pain related” issue wants the medications intravenously for its rapid effect and euphoric sensation. Why are these patients not started on a less narcotic and addictive for of medication? One simple reason that most addictive people know, “I have allergies.” Patients come in with allergies to everything that is a non-narcotic such as: Tylenol, Motrin, NSAIDS, Ultram, Toradol, etc. Most patients will also know both the brand and generic forms of the medications.
How do we as health care providers help control or stop the abuse of narcotics both in and out of the hospital. According to Meyer (2009) use of a “non-narcotic protocol, of 15 patients who averaged 19 ER visits over the previous year for pain-related complaints were notified about the protocol, ER visits decreased to an average of two per year.” Should patients to continue to arrive at and ER for narcotics they are reminded of the protocol and offered both a non-narcotic medication, as well as, other nonpharmacological interventions such as ice or heat packs, quiet and darkened
We have blood pressure, pulse, respirations, and temperature. All of the previous are objective they can be seen and quantified some way. However, the fifth vital sign “pain” is a relative and subjective term. It can’t be measured on any scale expect by what the patient tells us, we as healthcare providers can’t see it. We can only trust what our patient is telling us, and we can’t say otherwise. A person who rates their pain as a “10” for a stubbed toe versus another patient with a broken arm who says the pain is a “10” as well. Who is telling the truth? In reality it’s both, but in the back of a nurses mind is the question. Are you truly in pain or just …show more content…
Opiates, or opioids, are prescribed to relieve pain; they can also be used to relieve diarrhea and coughs, these are narcotics and addictive if misused. These drugs work by "attaching to specific proteins called opioid receptors, which are found in the brain, spinal cord, and gastrointestinal tract. When these drugs attach to certain opioid receptors, they can block the transmission of pain messages to the brain" (NIDA, 2001). The reason they are abused is due to the euphoric feeling they create. They do this by affecting specific regions of the brain that stimulates pleasure. This is why these are the most commonly abused prescription drugs. Although the medication is intended to be taken orally, individuals who are abusing have devised ways to either snort it or inject it, when sent home with a prescription, as these methods enhance and quicken the …show more content…
A patient coming to the ER for an abusive “pain related” issue wants the medications intravenously for its rapid effect and euphoric sensation. Why are these patients not started on a less narcotic and addictive for of medication? One simple reason that most addictive people know, “I have allergies.” Patients come in with allergies to everything that is a non-narcotic such as: Tylenol, Motrin, NSAIDS, Ultram, Toradol, etc. Most patients will also know both the brand and generic forms of the medications.
How do we as health care providers help control or stop the abuse of narcotics both in and out of the hospital. According to Meyer (2009) use of a “non-narcotic protocol, of 15 patients who averaged 19 ER visits over the previous year for pain-related complaints were notified about the protocol, ER visits decreased to an average of two per year.” Should patients to continue to arrive at and ER for narcotics they are reminded of the protocol and offered both a non-narcotic medication, as well as, other nonpharmacological interventions such as ice or heat packs, quiet and darkened