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Potential Post Operative Complications

This document discusses various common postoperative complications including: atelectasis, bronchitis, bronchopneumonia, lobar pneumonia, hypostatic pulmonary congestion, pleurisy, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary edema, hemorrhage, shock, urinary retention, urinary tract infection, nausea and vomiting, surgical site infection, wound dehiscence, and depression. For each complication, the causes and clinical signs are described to aid in identification and treatment. Preventing immobilization, encouraging early ambulation, and maintaining adequate hydration and nutrition are emphasized as important nursing interventions.

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1K views18 pages

Potential Post Operative Complications

This document discusses various common postoperative complications including: atelectasis, bronchitis, bronchopneumonia, lobar pneumonia, hypostatic pulmonary congestion, pleurisy, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary edema, hemorrhage, shock, urinary retention, urinary tract infection, nausea and vomiting, surgical site infection, wound dehiscence, and depression. For each complication, the causes and clinical signs are described to aid in identification and treatment. Preventing immobilization, encouraging early ambulation, and maintaining adequate hydration and nutrition are emphasized as important nursing interventions.

Uploaded by

ethelnmunda
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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 - Atelectasis

 - Bronchitis
 - Bronchopneumonia
 - Lobar pneumonia
 - Hypostatic pulmonary congestion
 - Pleurisy
Causes:
 Infections, toxins, irritants, IMMOBILITY, and
IMPAIRED VENTILATION.

CLINICAL Signs:
 Increased temperature
 Cough
 Expectoration of blood tinged

or purulent sputum
 Dyspnea
 Chest pain
Causes:
 Mucous plugs blocking bronchial passageways
 Inadequate lung expansion
 Analgesics
 IMMOBILITY
Clinical signs:
 Dyspnea
 Tachypnea
 Tachycardia
 Diaphoresis
 Anxiety
 Pleural pain
 Decraesed chest wall movement
 Dull or absent breath sounds
 Decreased oxygen saturation (SPO2)
Causes:
 stasis of the venous blood from immobility
 Venous injury from fractures/during surgery
 Use of oral contraceptives high in estrogen
 Preexisting coagulation or circulatory
disorder
Clinical signs:
 Sudden chest pain
 Shortness of breath
 Cyanosis
 Shock (tachycardia, low blood pressure)
Causes:
 Fluid deficit
 Hemorrhage

Clinical signs:
 Tachycardia
 Decreased urine output
 Decreased blood pressure
Causes:
 Disruption of sutures
 Insecure ligation of blood vessels

Clinical signs:
 Dressing saturated with bright blood:

Bright, free flowing blood in drains or chest


tubes
 Apprehension; restlessness; thirst; cold, moist ,

pale skin
 Deep, rapid RR; low body temperature
 Low BP, low Hgb
 Circumoral pallor; spots before the eyes, ringing
Causes:
 Severe hypovolemia from fluid deficit or

hemorrhage
Clinical signs:
 Rapid, weak pulse, Decreased blood pressure

 Dyspnea

 Tachypnea

 Restlessness & anxiety

 Urine output less than 30 ml/hr

 Cool clammy skin, Thirst, Pallor

 Progressive weakness, then death


- often occurs after operations on the lower
abdomen or during the course of septic
conditions as ruptured ulcer or peritonitis
Causes:
 Injury: damage to vein
 Hemorrhage
 Prolonged immobility
 Obesity / Debilitation
Clinical Manifestations
 Pain
 Redness
 Swelling
 Heat / warmth
 + Homan’s sign

Nursing Interventions
 Prevention:
 Hydrate adequately to prevent
hemoconcentration
 Encourage leg exercises and ambulate early
 Avoid any restricting devices that can constrict
and impair circulation
 Prevent use of bed rolls, knee gatches, dangling
over the side of the bed with pressure on
popliteal area
Cause:
 depressed bladder tone from narcotics and

anesthetics
 Handling of tissues during surgery on

adjacent organs (rectum/vagina)


 Fluid intake larger than output

Clinical signs:
 Inability to void or frequent voiding of small

amounts
 Bladder distention
 Suprapubic discomfort
 restlessness
Cause:
 IMMOBILIZATION
 Limited fluid intake
 Instrumentation of urinary tract

Clinical signs:
 Burning sensation during voiding
 Urgency
 Cloudy urine
 Lower abdominal pain
Clinical signs:
 Complaints of feeling sick to the stomach
 Retching or gagging
 Throwing up

Cause:
 Pain
 Abdominal distention
 Ingesting of food and fluids before return of

peristalsis
 Certain medication
 Anxiety
Cause:
 poor aseptic technique

Clinical signs:
 Purulent exudates
 Redness
 Tenderness
 Elevated temperature
 Wound odor

Laboratory analysis of wound swab identifies


causative microorganism
Cause:
 Malnutrition (emaciation, obesity)
 Poor circulation
 Excessive strain on suture line

Clinical signs:
 Increased incision drainage
 Tissues underlying skin becomes visible

along parts of the incision


Clinical signs:
 Anorexia
 Tearfulness
 Loss of ambition
 Withdrawal
 Rejection of others
 Feelings of dejection
 Sleep disturbances (insomnia or excessive

sleeping)
Cause:
 Weakness
 News of malignancy
 Severely altered body image
 Other personal matter
 Maybe a physiologic response to some

surgeries
 Surprise nature of emergency surgery
Postop Nursing Care

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