A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative. When the nurse prepares to change his dressing, he says, "Every time you change my bandage, it hurts so much." Which of the following is the nurse's priority action?
1) Administer pain medication before changing the dressing
2) Explain to the client that some discomfort is normal during dressing changes
3) Ask the client if he would like a break before the dressing change
4) Assess the client's pain level and provide appropriate interventions
