Signs of Postoperative Complications

Pneumonia: Elevated temperature, cough, expectoration of blood-tinged or purulent sputum, dyspnea, chest pain.
Atelectasis: Marked dyspnea, cyanosis, pleural pain, tachycardia, increased respiratory rate, fever, productive cough, auscultatory crackling sounds.
Pulmonary Embolism: Sudden chest pain, shortness of breath, cyanosis, shock (tachycardia, low blood pressure).
Thrombophlebitis: Aching, cramping pain: affected area is swollen, red, and hot to touch; vein feels hard; discomfort in calf when foot is dorsiflexed or when client walks (Homans' Sign).
Thrombus or embolus: Same as for pulmonary embolism; if dislodged in heart or brain, assess cardiac or neurologic signs.
Urinary retention: Fluid intake larger than output, inability to void or frequent voiding of small amounts, bladder distention, suprapubic discomfort, restlessness bladder palpable above the pubic symphysis.
Urinary infection: Burning sensation when voiding, urgency, cloudy urine, lower abdominal pain.
Constipation: Abscence of stool elimination, abdominal distention, and discomfort.
Tympanies: Obvious abdominal distention, abdominal discomfort (gas pain), absence of bowel sounds.
Wound Infection: Purulent exudate, redness, tenderness, elevated body temperature, wound odor.
Wound Dehiscence: Increased incision drainage; tissues underlying skin become visible along parts of the incision.
Wound Evisceration: Opening of incision and visible protrusion of organs.