After administering morphine sulfate 3 hours ago, the patient complains of rapid onset pain rated at 8 out of 10. The nurse would consider this to be:

Explanation

•Breakthrough pain comes on suddenly, lasts for short periods, and is not relieved by the patient's normal pain management.

Incorrect options:

•Referred pain is perceived at a location other than the site of the painful stimulus.

•Neuropathic pain is caused by damage to a nerve but is felt in the areas that nerve innervates.

•Inflammatory pain is caused by the stretch or distention of sensitive tissue.

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