Which of the following is a common postoperative complication that CRNAs must manage?

Respiratory issues are a common postoperative complication that CRNAs must manage due to the impact of anesthesia and surgery on a patient's respiratory system. During surgery, general anesthesia can impair respiratory function, leading to an increased risk of complications such as hypoxemia, atelectasis, and pneumonia. Patients may have residual effects of anesthetic agents, which can depress respiratory drive or impair the ability to clear secretions effectively. Therefore, monitoring the patient’s airway, breathing patterns, and oxygen saturation is crucial in the postoperative period to ensure adequate ventilation and gas exchange.

While skin irritation, vision changes, and neuralgia can occur postoperatively, they are not as prevalent or critical as respiratory issues. For instance, skin irritation may arise from surgical dressings or positioning but does not typically pose an immediate threat to a patient’s safety or recovery as respiratory complications do. Vision changes could result from various factors, including positioning or pre-existing conditions; however, they are generally less common. Neuralgia, or nerve pain, might occur after certain types of surgeries but is also not as acute a focus in the immediate postoperative care managed by CRNAs as respiratory management.