What is the role of analgesia in mobilization planning?

• A. Ensure adequate analgesia to facilitate participation
• B. Analgesia is unnecessary for mobilization
• C. Choose analgesia only after mobilization starts
• D. Delay analgesia until after mobilization

Answer: (C)

Pain management is a key enabler of effective mobilization. If pain is not adequately controlled, a patient is less able to participate fully in movement, which can limit the intensity and success of early rehabilitation. Therefore the analgesia plan should be integrated into mobilization planning and aimed at providing adequate relief before and during movement, using a multimodal approach that balances pain relief with safety, especially in cardiopulmonary patients (consider regional techniques, nonopioid approaches, and careful opioid use to minimize respiratory or hemodynamic compromise). Delaying analgesia until after mobilization begins undermines participation and can lead to suboptimal sessions or delays in recovery. Conversely, analgesia should not be unnecessary or postponed beyond the moment of movement, as that would impede progress and fail to address pain as a barrier.