The Nurse Is Caring for a Client Who Takes Methadone

The nurse is caring for a client who takes methadone daily to prevent a relapse of heroin addiction and has been admitted for knee surgery. Which of the following actions should the nurse include in the plan of care to promote effective pain control postoperatively?

A) Use a mixed opioid agonist-antagonist drug for pain relief.
B) Administer opioid analgesics on a regularly scheduled basis.
C) Avoid use of opioids and use alternatives such as NSAIDs.
D) Give prescribed doses of opioid pain medication as needed for pain.