Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse Practice Exam

In the context of Maslow's hierarchy of needs, the first priority relates to addressing physiological needs, which are at the base of the hierarchy. Administering pain medication directly supports the patient's physical well-being and comfort by alleviating pain, which is a fundamental requirement for any person. When physiological needs are unmet, it can hinder a patient's ability to engage in higher-level needs such as safety, social interaction, and self-esteem.

While allowing family visitation, ambulating the patient, and transferring the patient with nursing assistance are important aspects of care, they do not address the immediate physiological needs that must be prioritized for optimum recovery and comfort. Prioritizing pain relief reflects an understanding of how essential it is to first ensure the patient's physical comfort before addressing other aspects of care or social support. Thus, attending to pain management is the correct choice in this scenario.