Urinary Retention
- The patient is unable to void for the
first 8 to 10 hours post-operatively
- The bladder is palpable
- There is pressure and pain in the
suprapubic region
- The patient has frequent urination;
however, in small amounts
(Lewis, Bucher, Heitkemper, Harding, Barry,
Lok, Tyerman, & Goldsworthy, 2019)
Pneumonia
- The patient presents with shallow
respirations, tachypnea, a fever,
lung sounds present with crackles,
and the patient has a productive
cough
- Chest movements may be
asymmetrical, the patient may be
hypoxic and/or tachycardic. The
patient may have leukocytosis
Atelectasis
- The patient presents with dyspnea,
tachypnea, decreased breath
sounds to the lung fields,
asymmetrical chest movements,
tachycardia, and increased
restlessness
(Lewis et al., 2019)
Pulmonary Embolism
- The patient presents with chest pain,
dyspnea, tachypnea, tachycardia,
CIRCULATORY diaphoresis, decreased orientation,
SYSTEM
URINARY SYSTEM hypotension, and changes to blood gas
levels
Hypovolemic Shock
- The patient presents with decreased
urine output, hypotension, a weak,
thready pulse, cool, clammy
extremities, increased restlessness, and
Post-Operative increased thirst
(Lewis et al., 2019)
Complications
Infection
RESPIRATORY
SYSTEM
- The patient presents with redness,
purulent drainage from the surgical
OTHER
incision(s), fever, tachycardia, and
GI SYSTEM leukocytopenia
Dehiscence
Gastric Dilation - The patient’s incision appears separated
or is separating
- The patient presents with nausea, vomiting, and
abdominal distention Evisceration
Paralytic Ileus - The patient has increased pain with
evidence of bowel protruding through
- The patient presents with decreased bowel sounds,
the incision
no stool or flatus for a long period of time, nausea
and/or vomiting, distention, and tenderness (Lewis et al., 2019).
(Lewis et al., 2019)
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 References

Lewis, S. L., Bucher, L., Heitkemper, M. M., Harding, M. M., Barry, M. A., Lok, J., Tyerman, J., & Goldsworthy, S. (Eds.). (2019). Medical-Surgical Nursing in

Canada: Assessment and Management of Clinical Problems (4th ed.). Elsevier Canada.