A 9-year-old is in a spica cast and complains of pain one hour after receiving IV opioid analgesia. What should the nurse do first?

Rationale: A. Administering more pain medication without assessing the cause of unrelieved pain could mask serious complications, such as compartment syndrome. B. A circulation (neurovascular) assessment should be the first action to rule out complications such as impaired circulation or compartment syndrome, which can cause unrelieved or worsening pain even after analgesia. C. The surgeon should be notified after an assessment has been completed and abnormal findings are confirmed. D. Changing position might help with general discomfort but is not the priority when pain persists after opioid administration, which could indicate a serious issue.