Which patient scenario of a surgical patient in pain is most indicative of critical thinking?

A) Administering pain-relief medication according to what was given last shift
B) Offering pain-relief medication based on the health care provider's orders
C) Asking the patient what pain-relief methods, pharmacological and nonpharmacological, have worked in the past
D) Explaining to the patient that self-reporting of severe pain is not consistent with the minor procedure that was performed