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.