13th November 2020

An 89-year-old woman is being treated for chest sepsis following an aspiration pneumonia

An 89-year-old woman is being treated for chest sepsis following an aspiration pneumonia. This is her fourth admission in 6 months and she has not responded to treatment with IV antibiotics and fluids over the last five days. Her most recent blood tests are below:

WBC 21.07, Neutrophils 11.95, Hb 93, Na 147, K 3.1, Urea 15.1, Creatinine 193, eGFR 20ml/min.

It is decided that she is now for end of life care (EOLC) in hospital as she is too unwell to be moved. She is non-communicative but is holding onto the bedrails and making moaning noises. She is opioid naïve.

Which would the most suitable medication for pain relief?

Select the SINGLE most appropriate option from the list below. Select ONE option only.