What does the nurse assess regarding the surgical site during post-anesthesia recovery?

During post-anesthesia recovery, it is crucial for the nurse to assess the surgical site for signs of bleeding, infection, and wound integrity. This is a vital part of postoperative care because any complications at the surgical site can significantly affect the patient's recovery process.

Monitoring for bleeding is necessary to ensure that the patient is stable and that there are no underlying issues that could lead to significant blood loss. Assessing for infection is equally important, as surgical sites can become contaminated, leading to increased morbidity. The integrity of the wound must also be inspected to ensure that it is healing properly and that there are no issues such as dehiscence or necrosis.

While signs of psychological distress, patient mobility, and the type of anesthesia used are important aspects of overall patient care, they are not specific to the immediate assessment of the surgical site itself. The priority during this recovery phase is to safeguard the surgical area to prevent complications that could derail recovery, making assessment of bleeding, infection, and wound integrity a fundamental task for the nurse.