A client has been started on a medication for postoperative pain. When does the nurse anticipate the ...

Correct Answer: 2
Rationale 1: The drug does not have to concentrate in muscle tissue in order to relieve pain.
Rationale 2: The goal of therapy is to reach and maintain a plasma level in the therapeutic range.
Rationale 3: The client might experience some pain relief at a minimum effective concentration but probably not optimal pain relief.
Rationale 4: A toxic concentration does not need to be reached in order to achieve pain relief; in fact, it should be avoided.
Global Rationale: The goal of therapy is to reach and maintain a plasma level in the therapeutic range. The drug does not have to concentrate in muscle tissue in order to relieve pain. The client might experience some pain relief at a minimum effective concentration but probably not optimal pain relief. A toxic concentration does not need to be reached in order to achieve pain relief; in fact, it should be avoided.

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