Final answer:
The nurse should prioritize monitoring a woman after a cesarean section for hemorrhage and shock.
Step-by-step explanation:
The nurse should place the HIGHEST priority on monitoring a woman after a cesarean section for hemorrhage and shock. Although infection and pain are also important considerations, hemorrhage and shock are immediate life-threatening complications that require urgent attention. Hemorrhage after a cesarean section can result from inadequate closure of blood vessels or retained placenta fragments, while shock can occur due to significant blood loss.