A 58-year-old man with chronic low back pain is being considered for long-term opioid therapy. According to Canadian guidelines for opioid prescribing...

Question

A 58-year-old man with chronic low back pain is being considered for long-term opioid therapy. According to Canadian guidelines for opioid prescribing for chronic non-cancer pain, which is the most appropriate approach?

Accepted Answer

Use non-pharmacologic and non-opioid therapies first, and if opioids are used, start at low dose with clear goals and monitoring

Answer

Start high-dose long-acting opioids immediately

Answer

Prescribe opioids indefinitely without treatment goals

Answer

Use opioids as first-line therapy for all chronic pain

Answer

Ignore the risk of dependence in favour of immediate relief

ca-mccqe1 MCQ (SBA): Opioid prescribing - chronic non-cancer pain

A 58-year-old man with chronic low back pain is being considered for long-term opioid therapy. According to Canadian guidelines for opioid prescribing for chronic non-cancer pain, which is the most appropriate approach?