What is generally the first thing a patient is monitored for after surgery?

Monitoring vital signs is crucial immediately after surgery as it provides key indicators of the patient's overall physiological status. Vital signs typically include heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, and temperature. These measurements help healthcare providers quickly assess the patient’s response to anesthesia and the surgery itself, identifying any complications such as hemorrhage, infection, or shock.

While pain levels, mobility, and hydration status are also important aspects of post-operative care, they are typically addressed after ensuring that vital signs are stable. For instance, effective pain management is important, but it can only be appropriately managed after assessing the patient's vital stability. Ensuring that the patient is mobilizing appropriately and maintaining hydration also follows the initial assessment of vital signs. Therefore, monitoring vital signs is the primary focus right after surgery to ensure the patient's safety and to guide further nursing interventions.