A home health nurse is planning to use nonpharmacological pain relief measures for a client who has severe chronic back pain. Which of the following pain management guidelines should the nurse use?

Rationale: A. "Discontinue opioids before trying nonpharmacological methods of pain relief." Nonpharmacological methods should complement, not replace, opioids. It's important to continue prescribed medications and incorporate nonpharmacological techniques to manage chronic pain. B. "Distraction changes the client's perception of pain, but it does not affect the cause." Distraction techniques, like listening to music, can alter pain perception by redirecting attention, but they do not address the underlying cause of pain. C. "Use imagery with clients who have difficulty with focus and concentration." Imagery is a relaxation technique that requires focus. It may not be effective for clients with concentration difficulties, as they may struggle to benefit from this method. D. "Pain relief from the use of heat and cold continues for several hours after removal of the stimulus." Pain relief from heat and cold is temporary and typically fades once the stimulus is removed. It provides short-term relief and should not be expected to last long after application.