Pain Management Nursing Practice Exam

The most appropriate first step for the home health nurse upon learning that an older adult client is sharing pain medication with his daughter is to consult the social worker. This situation raises concerns about medication safety, potential misuse, and the need for additional resources to address the patient's pain management and overall well-being.

The social worker can assist in evaluating the patient's living situation, understanding family dynamics, and identifying community resources that may be necessary for the client and his family. Additionally, the social worker can help facilitate communication among the healthcare team, the patient, and family members to ensure that the patient receives the appropriate support and education about medication usage.

Engaging a social worker first can also help address broader issues that may be influencing the patient's medication sharing behavior, such as financial strain, lack of understanding regarding medication management, or insufficient access to healthcare resources. This holistic approach ensures that any systemic barriers to effective pain management and medication compliance are addressed before focusing solely on the immediate concerns regarding prescriptions or monitoring of refills.