NCLEX Question for taking opioids

NCLEX Review Question

When a person who has been taking opioids becomes less sensitive to their analgesic properties, that person is said to have developed a (an)

a.tolerance.
b.addiction.
c.dependence.
d.balanced analgesia.

Correct Answer: A
tolerance.
Rationale: Tolerance is characterized by the need for increasing dose requirements to maintain the same level of pain relief.

addiction.
Rationale: Addiction refers to a behavioral pattern of substance use characterized by a compulsion to take the drug primarily to experience its psychic effects.

dependence.
Rationale: Dependence occurs when a patient who has been taking opioids experiences a withdrawal syndrome when the opioids are discontinued.

balanced analgesia.
Rationale: Balanced analgesia occurs when the patient is using more than one form of analgesia concurrently to obtain more pain relief with fewer side effects.

Posted in: MSN NCLEX