Prioritization of Patient Conditions After Surgery

A nurse is working in a busy surgical ward and receives four patients needing immediate attention. The nurse must prioritize care based on the urgency of each patient's condition.

The first patient is a 55-year-old male who just returned from surgery with decreased oxygen saturation levels (SpO2 of 88%) and is experiencing shortness of breath.

The second patient is a 62-year-old female who has been diagnosed with a urinary tract infection and is exhibiting hematuria and fever.

The third patient is a 45-year-old male who has just been admitted with chest pain and a known history of hypertension and hyperlipidemia.

The fourth patient is a 30-year-old female who is six hours post-operative after an appendectomy and is requesting pain medication due to a pain score of 8 out of 10.

Based on the urgency of these conditions, the priority for the nurse should focus on the patient with __________.