Share This Link

Thrombophlebitis: Usually produces localized signs in the affected limb- pain, redness, warmth, swelling, a tender, cord-like vein.

Pneumonia: Presents with respiratory symptoms (cough, sputum, dyspnea), fever, tachypnea and focal lung signs on auscultation; it may cause systemic signs if severe -sepsis.

Wound dehiscence: Manifests with separation of incision layers, increased drainage, visible sutures/staples disruption, possible evisceration and local pain.

Immediately after surgery: Some pain exists immediately, but many patients have residual anesthesia and receive intraoperative/early postoperative IV analgesia (PCA or bolus) in PACU.

4 hours after surgery: This may be a high-pain period for some procedures as anesthetics wear off, but many studies and clinical guidelines report that the worst pain is most often in the broader early postoperative window (first 24-48 hours).

48 to 60 hours after surgery: By this time most patients’ acute surgical pain has begun to decline; while some moderate pain may persist.

Hunger is not a complication specifically associated with obesity after surgery; postoperative appetite varies and is influenced more by anesthesia, analgesics, and ileus than by body weight alone.

Hemorrhage: Obesity by itself is not the primary predictor for postoperative bleeding; technical difficulty can increase operative time or risk.

Gas pains: Gas pains (postop abdominal gas/discomfort) are common after abdominal surgery but are not specifically more likely because of obesity; they relate more to bowel manipulation, anesthesia, and immobility.

Thrombophlebitis typically causes localized limb pain, redness, warmth, and swelling - not generalized hypotension, tachycardia, and increased drainage from a surgical wound.

Atelectasis presents with tachypnea, dyspnea, decreased breath sounds, and low-grade fever - it does not explain a sudden drop in blood pressure with increased wound drainage.

Infection usually develops later and is associated with localized redness, warmth, purulent drainage, and sometimes fever; acute hypotension and tachycardia with increased surgical site drainage point toward active bleeding rather than established infection.

By palpating the skin over the tibia and fibula: Palpating over the bones doesn’t assess the soft-tissue signs of venous inflammation or thrombus.

By recording vital signs obtained four times a day: Vitals may show fever or tachycardia with complications, but they aren’t sensitive or specific for detecting early thrombophlebitis.

By noting difficulty with ambulation: Difficulty walking is nonspecific and may reflect pain from many causes; it’s useful to note but is not a reliable primary assessment for thrombophlebitis.

Use of intermittent compression stockings: Compression stockings prevent venous stasis and DVT, not atelectasis.

Heel-toe flexion: Heel-toe flexion promotes circulation in the lower extremities but does not prevent pulmonary collapse.

Abdominal splinting when coughing: Splinting provides support and reduces pain while coughing, but by itself it does not ensure full lung expansion as effectively as incentive spirometry.