Title: Describe the withdrawal and tapering side effects of opioid use.
Course: Health Assisting Careers (14002-36) > Section: Understanding Pain Management Protocols

Description should include

- characteristics and causes of acute and protracted withdrawal from opioid dependence or addiction
- best practices for tapering off prescribed opioids
- pain contracts or agreements
- timeframe (e.g., peaks of withdrawal symptoms)
- physical signs (e.g., nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, cold flashes)
- side effects of medically induced withdrawal (e.g., medical management withdrawal, additional reactionary effects of naloxone administration).

Process/Skill Questions:

- What are the stages of withdrawal in opioid abuse transition?
- What medications might be needed in the withdrawal stage?
- What information should be included in the pain management contract?