What is the nurse's first priority when a patient has just arrived on a unit post-operative?

• A. Make sure the client has access to a call bell.
• B. Administer pain medication.
• C. Check blood pressure.
• D. Take vital signs.

Answer: (A)

Safety and the ability to summon help are the first concerns when a patient arrives on the unit after surgery. Ensuring the patient has easy access to a call bell allows them to alert staff immediately if they’re in trouble—such as trouble breathing, unexpected pain, dizziness, or bleeding. This quick access to help sets a safe baseline for the rest of the early post-op assessment and monitoring. Once that safety net is in place, you would proceed with checking vital signs, monitoring blood pressure, and assessing pain to guide further care. Pain management and vital sign assessment are important, but they follow establishing a reliable way for the patient to request assistance.