The nurse is monitoring the status of a postoperative client in the immediate postoperative period. The nurse would become most concerned with which sign that could indicate an evolving complication?
Explanation Increasing restlessness is a sign that requires continuous and close monitoring because it could indicate a potential complication such as hemorrhage, shock, or pulmonary embolism. A blood pressure of 110/70 mm Hg with a pulse of 86 beats per minute is within normal limits. Hypoactive bowel sounds heard in all 4 quadrants are a normal occurrence in the immediate postoperative period.