COMMON POST OPERATIVE COMPLICATIONS

1- SHOCK
Is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the body is not getting enough blood flow.
 

 NURSING MANAGEMENT

Assess level of consciousness. -

 Pulse quality & rate changes.-

- Fluid resuscitation.

2- Hemorrhage
A hemorrhage may be "external" and visible on the outside of the body or "internal" where there is no sign of bleeding outside the body. 
 

Nursing management:
  Inspect the wound as a possible site of bleeding.-

- Increase IV fluid infusion rate & administer blood if necessary as soon as possible.

3- Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
Is usually the formation of a thrombus in the deep veins of the leg.
 

Nursing management :

- Avoid rubbing or massaging calves and thighs.

- Encourage leg exercises and ambulate the patient as soon as permitted by the surgeon.

- Initiate anticoagulant therapy either intravenously, subcutaneously, or orally as prescribed.

4- Pulmonary complications

Nursing management:

- Monitor the patient’s progress carefully on a daily basis for the first postoperative week to detect early signs & symptoms of respiratory difficulties.

- Promote full aeration of the lungs.

- Initiate specific measures for particular pulmonary problems.

5- Pulmonary Embolism ( PE )
Pulmonary embolism is an obstruction of a blood vessel in the lungs, usually due to a blood clot, which blocks a coronary artery.

Nursing management :

- Administer oxygen with the patient in an upright sitting position if possible.

- Reassure and quiet the patient.

- Monitor vital signs, ECG, and arterial blood gases.

6- Urinary Retention :
is defined as the inability to completely or partially empty the bladder, Suffering from urinary retention means you may be unable to start urination, or if you are able to start, you can’t fully empty your bladder. 

Nursing management :

- Assist patient to sit or stand if permissible because many patients are unable to void while lying in bed.

- Provide the patient with privacy.

- Catheterize only when all other measures are unsuccessful.

7-Intestinal Obstruction

Intestinal obstruction occurs when there is a blockage of your small or large intestine. The blockage prevents the passage of fluid or digested food. The blockage may be partial or total.

 

Nursing management :

 - relive abdominal distention by passing a nasoenteric suction tube.

Replace fluid and electrolytes.

- Assess bowel tones and degree of abdominal distention (may need to measure abdominal girth) ;document these findings   every shift.

- Monitor and document characteristics of emesis and nasogastric drainage.

8- Evisceration( wound dehiscence )
extrusion of viscera outside the body, especially through a surgical incision.

 Nursing management:

- Stay with the patient and have someone notify the surgeon immediately.

- If intestines are exposed , cover with sterile moist saline dressing .

- Assure the patient that the wound will be properly cared for attempt to keep patient quiet and relaxed.

9- Wound Infection
Wound infections are caused by the deposition and multiplication of microorganisms in the surgical site of a susceptible host. There are a number of ways microorganisms can get into wounds.

Nursing management:

 - Keep dressing intact

- Use strict asepsis when dressing are changed.

 - Monitor and document amount type and location of drainage.

 - Ensure that all drains are working properly.