Palliative care

Question 1

Background question

Answer 1

• Other medications
• Other medical conditions, specifically check for kidney and liver function (and relevant tests)

Question 2

Enquiry regarding compatibility in a syringe driver

Answer 2

• Drug
• Doses
• Diluents and volume
• Which drugs need to be mixed, what are they for and what is the dose?
• What is the diluent to be used and the concentration required or the preferred total volume?
• Over what time period will the infusion be given?
• What other routes of administration are available, e.g. intravenous lines?
• Other medication: indication, routes
• Establish how the patient is fed – an enteral feed tube offers a potential alternative route.

Question 3

Enquiry about symptom control

Answer 3

• What is the likely cause of the symptoms?
• What drug or non-drug options have they tried already?
• Other medications
• Other significant medical problems

Question 4

Enquiry about conversion between different opioids

Answer 4

• What is the total daily (24 hours) dose, including PRN dose?
• Is the patient’s pain well controlled?