Mesothelioma Support Palliative Care and Pain Management 3

Question 1

What is 'opioid rotation' and why might it be used in mesothelioma pain management?

Accepted Answer

Switching opioids to a different drug to improve pain control or reduce side effects

Answer

Opioid rotation involves switching from one opioid to another to achieve better pain control, reduce tolerance, or minimize side effects like excessive sedation or nausea.

Question 2

Which complementary therapy has evidence supporting its use for anxiety and pain reduction in cancer palliative care?

Accepted Answer

Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR)

Answer

Mindfulness-based stress reduction has clinical evidence supporting its ability to lower anxiety, reduce pain perception, and improve psychological well-being in cancer patients.

Question 3

What is the significance of advance care planning for mesothelioma patients receiving palliative care?

Accepted Answer

It allows patients to document their treatment wishes before they lose decision-making capacity

Answer

Advance care planning ensures that a patient's values, goals, and treatment preferences—such as resuscitation or ventilator use—are documented and honored if they can no longer speak for themselves.

Question 4

What type of indwelling catheter may be placed to allow a mesothelioma patient or caregiver to drain pleural fluid at home?

Accepted Answer

Tunneled pleural catheter (e.g., PleurX)

Answer

A tunneled pleural catheter like the PleurX allows recurring pleural fluid to be drained at home, reducing hospital visits and improving the patient's independence and comfort.

Question 5

Which medication class is commonly added as an adjuvant analgesic to treat neuropathic pain components in mesothelioma?

Accepted Answer

Gabapentinoids such as gabapentin or pregabalin

Answer

Gabapentinoids reduce nerve-mediated (neuropathic) pain by stabilizing hyperexcitable neurons, making them effective adjuvants when standard opioids provide insufficient neuropathic pain relief.

Mesothelioma Support Practice Test

Mesothelioma Support Practice Test

Mesothelioma Support Palliative Care and Pain Management 3