Pharmacological Management of Constipation and Abdominal Pain in End of Life Care

Running head: PHARMACOLOGICAL SCIENCE
Pharmacological science
Name of the student
Name of the university
Author’s note

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PHARMACOLOGICAL SCIENCE
Table of Contents
Introduction............................................................................................................................2
Synopsis:....................................................................................................................................3
Patient management plan...........................................................................................................4
Assessment of patient condition through clinical reasoning cycle........................................4
Considering the patient situation................................................................................................4
Collection of cues or information..............................................................................................4
Processing of the information....................................................................................................5
Identification of the problems/issues.........................................................................................5
Establishment of goals...............................................................................................................5
Taking action..............................................................................................................................6
Evaluation of outcomes..............................................................................................................6
Critical discussion of pharmacological management of constipation....................................6
Pharmacological management of abdominal pain.................................................................8
Discussion of alternate therapies and procedures....................................................................10
Conclusion............................................................................................................................11
References............................................................................................................................12

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PHARMACOLOGICAL SCIENCE
Introduction
The current assignment focuses upon pharmacological management of a patient in
end of life care. The assignment discusses regarding the various aspects of pharmacological
management. Here, emphasis have been placed upon the overall health condition of the
patient, as the pharmacological management becomes considerably difficult when the patient
is suffering from a number of co-morbid conditions. For instance, in case of acute
gastroenterology pain, the medicines may not be effective in management of the patient
condition (Weinberg, Smalley, Heidelbaugh & Sultan, 2014, p.1147). The assignment
focuses upon the removal of strong medicines, which could initiate side effects in the patient
when continued for longer period of time and provision of alternate medication strategies.
However, a number of hindrances are faced over here such as lack of cooperation from the
patient as well as loss of hope of recovery. Some of these may act as discouraging aspects in
the delivery of care.

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PHARMACOLOGICAL SCIENCE
Synopsis:
The current study focuses upon the aspect of pharmacological management for an end
of life patient suffering from bowel cancer. Here, JR is an 80 years old female patient
diagnosed with bowel cancer and has been affected with abdominal pain and constipation.
The bowel cancer of JR is at an advanced stage and has been accompanied by a
number of co-morbid conditions such as – urinary tract infection, incontinence of urine and
faecal, constipation, abdominal pain, hypertension and increased anxiety. The rejection to
take chemotherapy can further alleviate the problem. However, she wants to discontinue with
the use of the same and lead a comfortable and pain free life.
Though, the patient has been on chemotherapy along with radiation therapy for a
while.
The abdominal pain and situation of constipation required the patient to use excess
PRN medications. However, it had little therapeutic effect on the patient. Some of the
medicine doses which were administered to the patient over here were endone 5 mg bd;
panadole 500 mg X 2 bds; Movicol one X BD; Oxazepam; atorvastatin. The patient also
reported allergy for keflex, which caused nausea in the patient.
The patient is supported through the crisis by her husband and two children. The
patient also had a past history of smoking which could contributed significantly in the
development of colon cancer in the patient.
Therefore, in order to relieve the patient from the present health situation it was
required that an effective pain control mechanism be designed for the patient. Hence, the
assessment will be mainly upon the control of pain owing to bowel cancer and constipation in
the patient.