Which sign should a nurse look for indicating potential hemorrhage in a postoperative patient?

The presence of increased heart rate, decreased blood pressure, and fullness at the incision site are all significant signs that could indicate potential hemorrhage in a postoperative patient. Increased heart rate can suggest that the body is compensating for blood loss, as the heart pumps faster to maintain adequate circulation. Decreased blood pressure often follows significant blood loss, leading to hypovolemic shock, which indicates that the patient may be experiencing severe internal bleeding. Fullness at the incision site could suggest the accumulation of blood, indicating that there might be a hematoma or other fluid collection, which may be the result of bleeding.

Recognizing any of these signs allows the nursing staff to promptly assess the patient and intervene appropriately, as potential hemorrhage is a serious postoperative complication requiring immediate attention. Therefore, looking for all these signs collectively enhances the detection of hemorrhage and supports timely clinical management.