Patient/Family Teaching

• Instruct patient on how and when to ask for pain medication.

• Instruct patient to take meperidine as directed. If dose is less effective after a few weeks, do not increase dose without consulting health care professional. Pedi: Teach parents or caregivers how to accurately measure liquid medication and to use only the measuring device dispensed with the medication

• May cause drowsiness or dizziness. Advise patient to call for assistance when ambulating or smoking. Caution patient to avoid driving or other activities requiring alertness until response to medication is known

• Advise patient to change positions slowly to minimize orthostatic hypotension

• Instruct patient to avoid concurrent use of alcohol or other CNS depressants

• Advise ambulatory patients that nausea and vomiting may be decreased by lying down

• Encourage patient to turn, cough, and breathe deeply every 2 hr to prevent atelectasis

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