A patient expresses concern about becoming addicted to a prescription pain medication ordered ...

1,2,3
Rationale 1: Dose is a factor in risk of addiction. The lowest dose that will produce pain relief should be ordered.
Rationale 2: Limiting the length of use of medication helps to avoid addiction.
Rationale 3: Patients who follow the prescribed use of medications have low risk of addiction.
Rationale 4: It is possible to become addicted to medications based on use when the patient feels the need.
Rationale 5: Ignoring the patients concern is not therapeutic.

Global Rationale: Dose is a factor in risk of addiction. The lowest dose that will produce pain relief should be ordered. Limiting the length of use of medication helps to avoid addiction. Patients who follow the prescribed use of medications have low risk of addiction. It is possible to become addicted to medications based on use when the patient feels the need. Ignoring the patients concern is not therapeutic.