A 68-year-old woman with metastatic breast cancer is on regular Morphine for pain. She has not opened her bowels for 4 days and is complaining of abdo...

Question

A 68-year-old woman with metastatic breast cancer is on regular Morphine for pain. She has not opened her bowels for 4 days and is complaining of abdominal discomfort. She is on no laxatives. What is the most appropriate management?

Accepted Answer

Start a stimulant laxative plus a softener (e.g. Senna and Docusate) and encourage fluids

Answer

Reassure that constipation is expected and no treatment is needed

Answer

Stop Morphine immediately

Answer

Give Codeine to help with diarrhoea

Answer

Start Naloxone infusion

uk-plab-1 MCQ (SBA): Opioid-induced constipation

A 68-year-old woman with metastatic breast cancer is on regular Morphine for pain. She has not opened her bowels for 4 days and is complaining of abdominal discomfort. She is on no laxatives. What is the most appropriate management?