What distinguishes buprenorphine from full opioid agonists in terms of analgesic ceiling and safety?

• A. Buprenorphine is a partial mu agonist with a ceiling effect for respiratory depression; high receptor affinity can complicate rotations and precipitate withdrawal in dependent patients, but it provides analgesia with favorable safety in many cases.
• B. Buprenorphine is a full agonist with high risk of overdose identical to morphine.
• C. Buprenorphine has no analgesic properties.
• D. Buprenorphine lacks receptor affinity, making rotation simple.

Answer: (D)