Oncology IQ

Test your cancer nursing knowledge with ONCC’s OncologyIQ. ONCC will post a new question, the correct answer, and rationale. Follow us on Twitter to get the OncologyIQ question delivered directly to your Twitter feed. Want more questions like this? Check out ONCC Practice Tests!

 
A patient with metastatic cancer is receiving extended-release morphine sulfate and displays nonrhythmic, jerking motions of the lower extremities. The APRN recommends:

a. Discontinuing all opioids

b. Converting to another opioid

c. Initiating oral phenytoin every six hours

d. Administering naloxone urgently

 

 

Answer

b. Converting to another opioid

 

Rationale: 

Adverse effects are greater than the pain relief, convert to an equianalgesic. 

 

Reference: 

Ferrell, B.R., & Paice, J.A. (Eds.). (2019). Oxford textbook of palliative nursing (5th ed.). Oxford University Press,  p. 120.