Before giving a postoperative patient an opioid analgesic, the nurse should give the highest priority to the assessment of which aspect of the patient's condition?

Before administering an opioid analgesic to a postoperative patient, the nurse should give the highest priority to the assessment of the patient's **respiratory status**.

Here's why:

1. **Respiratory Depression:** Opioids can cause respiratory depression, which can be life-threatening. Assessing the patient's respiratory rate, depth, and overall respiratory function is crucial to ensure they can safely receive the medication.

2. **Baseline Respiratory Function:** Knowing the patient's baseline respiratory status helps in identifying any changes or adverse effects quickly after administering the opioid.

3. **Safety:** Ensuring the patient's airway is patent and they are not experiencing respiratory distress ensures their safety while receiving pain management.

Thus, the highest priority is to assess the patient's respiratory status before giving an opioid analgesic.