The nurse is educating the family of a patient who is receiving hospice care due to a terminal illness. Which medication should the nurse tell the family to administer to treat the patient's pain?

• A. Morphine
• B. Dopamine
• C. Diazepam
• D. Haloperidol

Answer: (A)

Pain management in hospice focuses on relieving suffering with an effective, adjustable approach. Morphine is the classic choice for terminally ill patients with moderate to severe cancer pain because it reliably reduces pain and can be given by several routes (oral, subcutaneous, IV) and titrated to the patient’s comfort. The goal is relief, and this often requires adjusting the dose to achieve pain control even if some sedation or mild respiratory slowing occurs, as comfort takes precedence at this stage.

The other medications listed do not provide analgesia: dopamine supports blood pressure and organ perfusion but doesn’t relieve pain; diazepam addresses anxiety or muscle spasm; haloperidol treats delirium or nausea. While they may have roles in palliative care, they don’t substitute for pain relief.

Families should be guided on how to administer the morphine safely, monitor for side effects (such as constipation, drowsiness, or, in some cases, respiratory changes), and understand that dosing may need to be adjusted to keep the patient comfortable.