Final answer:
The priority action for the nurse caring for a young adult after surgery is to monitor vital signs regularly.
Step-by-step explanation:
The priority action for the nurse caring for a young adult after surgery would be to monitor vital signs regularly. Monitoring vital signs, such as heart rate, blood pressure, and temperature, helps identify any changes or complications that may arise after surgery. This allows the nurse to intervene promptly and provide appropriate care.
Although the other options are important aspects of post-surgical care, they are not the priority in this case. Administering pain medication as prescribed is important to manage the patient's pain, while encouraging early ambulation helps promote healing and prevent complications. Allowing involvement of the partner is also beneficial for the patient's emotional support and overall well-being, but it is not the priority action for the nurse.