Prioritizing Patient Care

A nurse is working on a busy medical-surgical unit. She receives report on four patients. The patients are as follows:

• Patient A - Post-operative day 2 from a hip replacement, reports pain 7/10 and needs pain medication.
• Patient B - Newly diagnosed with diabetes, requires teaching on insulin administration.
• Patient C - Presents with shortness of breath and is on oxygen therapy.
• Patient D - Scheduled for discharge and needs to review discharge instructions.

Based on the information provided, the nurse's priority should be to see Patient _____ first.