The Postoperative Orders for a Large Adult Patient Who Has

The postoperative orders for a large adult patient who has just arrived on your unit after major abdominal surgery reads morphine 15 mg IM every 4 to 6 h as needed for pain. What is the best schedule for pain relief during the first postoperative day for this patient?

A) Ask the patient every 4 to 6 h whether any drug for pain is needed.
B) Give the drug automatically every 4 h around the clock for the 24 h.
C) Give the drug automatically every 6 h around the clock for the first 24 h.
D) Wait until the patient rates the pain at an 8 or higher on a 0 to 10 pain rating scale before giving any dose of the prescribed drug.