In a patient with end-stage lung cancer experiencing pain despite increased morphine dosage, what is the most appropriate action?

In a situation where a patient with end-stage lung cancer is experiencing pain despite an increased dosage of morphine, it is essential to assess the overall management of pain and consider the potential for opioid side effects. Reducing the morphine dosage may help if the patient is experiencing side effects such as sedation, nausea, or constipation, which can worsen their quality of life and potentially lead to under-treatment of pain.

Effective pain management in advanced cancer often requires a multimodal approach, so switching opioids or adding non-opioid analgesics like ibuprofen might also be appropriate in some cases. However, refusing to adjust the current regimen may inadvertently lead to inadequate treatment if side effects become pronounced.

Thus, considering the potential for cumulative side effects with high doses of a single opioid, a thoughtful reduction in the morphine dosage can allow for better overall management while possibly incorporating other analgesics or adjuvants later on to achieve better pain control.