The nurse is caring for a postoperative patient with a history of obstructive sleep apnea. The nurse ...

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One of the greatest concerns after general anesthesia is airway obstruction. Choking and noisy, irregular respirations are classic signs and symptoms of airway obstruction. A number of factors contribute to obstruction, including a history of obstructive sleep apnea; weak pharyngeal/laryngeal muscle tone from anesthetics; secretions in the pharynx, bronchial tree, or trachea; and laryngeal or subglottic edema. In the postanesthetic patient, the tongue is a major cause of airway obstruction. Shallow respirations are indicative of respiratory depression. Moaning and reports of pain are common in all surgical patients and are an expected event. Disorientation is common when first awakening from anesthesia but can be a sign of hypoxia.