A nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription for hydromorphone 1 to 2 mg IM every 4 hr as needed for a pain rating of 4 to 6 on a 0 to 10 scale. The client has never taken hydromorphone before. Which of the following actions should the nurse plan to take?
a) Administer the lower dose initially and reassess the client's pain.
b) Administer the higher dose initially to ensure adequate pain relief.
c) Consult with the provider to change the route of administration.
d) Withhold the medication until the pain rating is consistently 6 or higher.