Following surgery, which client should the nurse assess first based on potential complications?

The priority in postoperative assessment revolves around identifying potential complications that could threaten a patient's safety. In this scenario, the client who has undergone a cholecystectomy and is experiencing increased nausea presents a significant concern. Increased nausea can indicate a few potential complications, including but not limited to the possibility of postoperative ileus, retained bile, or even complications related to anesthesia, such as aspiration or an adverse reaction.

Acute nausea in the context of surgery not only poses comfort concerns but can also lead to further complications, such as dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, or the risk of harmful outcomes if vomiting occurs. Therefore, the presence of nausea following a procedure that involves significant visceral manipulation, like a cholecystectomy, requires immediate attention and assessment to rule out these complications.

The other postoperative scenarios presented, while important, do not present the same immediate level of potential risk. Mild blood oozing from a myomectomy site can be expected and is usually monitored closely. A client requesting pain medication after spinal surgery, while important, indicates that the patient is comfortable enough to communicate their needs and is not exhibiting acute signs of distress. The reddish-pink drainage post-transurethral resection might be a normal finding, especially within the first few days