NCLEX-RN® question of the day

A nurse is caring for a patient who has been taking oral opioids for chronic back pain for the past two months. The patient states, 'I used to only need one pill to feel relief, but now I need two or three pills to get the same effect.' Which explanation best describes why this patient requires a higher dose of opioid to achieve pain control?

1. AThe patient is experiencing opioid-induced hyperalgesia caused by histamine release.
2. BThe patient's pain has worsened significantly, indicating disease progression.
3. CThe patient is experiencing opioid addiction and is seeking more medication.
4. DThe patient has developed opioid tolerance, requiring larger doses to achieve the same analgesic effect.