THE ROLE OF NURSING IN PREVENTING COMPLICATIONS IN THE IMMEDIATE POSTOPERATIVE PERIOD

Abstract

The immediate postoperative period corresponds to a critical phase of care for surgical patients, characterized by physiological instability and increased susceptibility to complications resulting from the anesthetic-surgical procedure. In this context, the role of the nursing team becomes essential for promoting patient safety and preventing adverse events. Thus, this study aims to analyze the role of nursing in preventing complications in the immediate postoperative period, seeking to identify the main complications, describe the interventions performed, and discuss the importance of nursing care in the quality of care and patient safety. This is a narrative literature review with a qualitative approach, conducted through a search of studies in the Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), PubMed, and the Virtual Health Library (BVS), using descriptors related to the immediate postoperative period, nursing, postoperative complications, and patient safety, combined using Boolean operators. Articles published in the last five years, available in full text, and directly related to the proposed theme were included. The results showed that the main complications in the immediate postoperative period include respiratory changes, hemodynamic instability, acute pain, hypothermia, and risk of infections, with continuous monitoring, pain control, systematic clinical assessment, and preventive measures being the main nursing interventions. It is concluded that qualified nursing care is essential for preventing complications, contributing to patient safety, improved clinical outcomes, and the quality of care provided.