What should a nurse do first when they suspect a complication in a post-operative patient?

In situations where a nurse suspects a complication in a post-operative patient, the first action should be to check the patient's vital signs. Assessing vital signs is critical because it provides immediate data on the patient's current physiological state. This information can reveal potential complications such as infection, hemorrhage, hypoxia, or shock, allowing the nurse to identify the urgency of the situation clearly.

By checking the vital signs, the nurse can quickly gather essential information, which may guide subsequent actions, such as notifying the surgeon if there are abnormalities. Vital signs can also indicate the need for further assessment or intervention, ensuring that the patient's safety and health are prioritized. Understanding the patient's baseline before initiating other actions is fundamental in nursing practice, especially in post-operative care.