order for pain medication – An 8-year old boy who weighs 30 kg is experiencing acute pain. The physician orders 3mg of morphine sulfate intravenously every 4 hours for pain. The child receives 3mg at 9 AM. At 9:30 AM, he rates his pain as 0 on a 0-5 rating scale. At noon, he complains of “bad pain” and rates his pain as 5 on the same scale.
1. What do you think about the child’s order for pain medication? What changes may be required?
2. What other questions would you ask the child about his pain?
3. What questions would you ask the child about what else might be helpful in managing his pain?
4. How would you present your findings to the child’s physician?