A patient with End-stage renal disease (ESRD) has returned to the unit following hemodialysis treatment. What is the nurse's priority assessment when the patient first returns to the unit?

A. Assess the need to void: While monitoring urinary output is important in ESRD, most patients on hemodialysis have minimal or no urine output due to reduced kidney function. Assessing voiding is not the immediate priority after dialysis. B. Check the patient's vital signs: Vital signs are the priority because hemodialysis can cause rapid fluid shifts, hypotension, electrolyte imbalances, or vascular access complications. Monitoring blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation immediately helps detect acute complications such as hypotensive episodes, arrhythmias, or hypoxemia. C. Check the patient's weight: Post-dialysis weight is important to assess fluid removal and guide future dialysis sessions, but it is secondary to ensuring hemodynamic stability. Weight measurement does not provide immediate information about acute post-dialysis complications. D. Assess the patient for pain: Pain assessment is important for comfort and to detect potential access site issues, but it is not the top priority immediately after dialysis. Ensuring cardiovascular stability takes precedence over comfort measures at this stage.