Postoperative care for a client who had surgery to repair a deviated septum: which complication should the nurse monitor for?

• A. Expectoration of blood
• B. Fever
• C. Severe nasal obstruction
• D. Headache

Answer: (A)

Bleeding is the key risk after nasal septum repair because the nasal mucosa and vessels are opened during the procedure. The nurse should monitor for expectoration of blood because coughing or spitting up blood can signal ongoing hemorrhage. Early detection matters: bright red drainage, continual swallowing of blood, or a rapid change in vital signs (like a rising pulse or falling blood pressure) can indicate that bleeding is occurring and may require prompt medical intervention, such as tightening packing, suctioning, or notifying the surgeon. While fever, severe nasal obstruction, or headache can occur after surgery, they are less urgent concerns than active bleeding, which can compromise airway and hemodynamic stability if not addressed quickly.