A 60-year-old man with known metastatic pancreatic cancer is admitted with severe abdominal pain despite regular oral Morphine. He is now unable to sw...

Question

A 60-year-old man with known metastatic pancreatic cancer is admitted with severe abdominal pain despite regular oral Morphine. He is now unable to swallow safely. What is the most appropriate next step for pain control?

Accepted Answer

Start a continuous subcutaneous Morphine (or Diamorphine) infusion via syringe driver

Answer

Stop opioids and switch to NSAIDs only

Answer

Give intermittent intramuscular Morphine injections

Answer

Start Fentanyl transdermal patch without prior opioid exposure

Answer

Sedate him with Benzodiazepines instead of analgesia

uk-plab-1 MCQ (SBA): Cancer pain – syringe driver

A 60-year-old man with known metastatic pancreatic cancer is admitted with severe abdominal pain despite regular oral Morphine. He is now unable to swallow safely. What is the most appropriate next step for pain control?