Post-Operative Management and Nursing Care Using The Nursing Process Part 2

1.7. Pneumonia

Pneumonia

Risk factors for a post-operative chest infection include pre-existing co-morbidity, obesity, prolonged surgery, immobility and prior treatment with antibiotics (Nicholls and Wilson, 2000). Patients may complain of shortness of breath, malaise, a cough or even pleuritic chest pain and present with tachycardia, pyrexia, tachypnoea and hypotension. Treatment options include oxygen therapy, chest physiotherapy, antibiotics and intravenous fluids to treat any hypotension.