Final answer:
The nurse should offer emotional support to the crying patient by asking open-ended questions to understand her feelings, as this can be a sign of postpartum blues or a more serious condition like postpartum depression.
Step-by-step explanation:
A 25-year-old gravida 1 para 1 who had an emergency cesarean birth 3 days ago is ready for discharge but begins to cry. The nurse's next action should be to approach the situation with compassion and understanding. The nurse needs to provide emotional support by asking open-ended questions to encourage the patient to express her feelings and concerns. The postpartum period can be emotionally challenging, and crying can be a sign of postpartum blues or the beginning of a more serious condition such as postpartum depression, which would require further evaluation and support.