Which medication prescription to help relieve pain in a child with leukemia should the nurse question?

Which medication prescription to help relieve pain in a child with leukemia should the nurse question?

• A. Hydromorphone
• B. Acetaminophen with codeine
• C. Ibuprofen
• D. Acetaminophen with hydrocodone

Answer: (C)

Pain management in a child with leukemia must consider platelet counts because low platelets raise bleeding risk. Ibuprofen is an NSAID that impairs platelet function and can increase bleeding, especially if thrombocytopenia is present. For this reason, ibuprofen should be questioned as a pain-relief option in these patients. Other options—acetaminophen-based combinations or opioids like hydromorphone—provide analgesia without directly affecting platelet function, though they carry their own risks such as liver toxicity with acetaminophen and opioid-related sedation or respiratory effects. The key point is to avoid NSAIDs when bleeding risk is a concern due to leukemia.

Pain management in a child with leukemia must consider platelet counts because low platelets raise bleeding risk. Ibuprofen is an NSAID that impairs platelet function and can increase bleeding, especially if thrombocytopenia is present. For this reason, ibuprofen should be questioned as a pain-relief option in these patients. Other options—acetaminophen-based combinations or opioids like hydromorphone—provide analgesia without directly affecting platelet function, though they carry their own risks such as liver toxicity with acetaminophen and opioid-related sedation or respiratory effects. The key point is to avoid NSAIDs when bleeding risk is a concern due to leukemia.