Chronic Opioid Perioperative Management — FRCA Final MCQ

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HardPain MedicineChronic Opioid Perioperative ManagementFRCA Final

Chronic opioid patient (oxycodone 40 mg BD) needs emergency surgery. Correct perioperative management?

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Correct answer: E — Continue baseline opioids and provide ADDITIONAL analgesia for surgical pain

Chronic opioid patients: CONTINUE baseline dose perioperatively (stopping risks withdrawal). Surgical pain needs ADDITIONAL analgesia on top. Multimodal essential (paracetamol, NSAIDs, regional, ketamine). These patients have tolerance — need higher than standard acute pain doses.

Reference: FPM – 2023 – Surgery in opioid-dependent patient