What is a priority nursing diagnosis for a patient who has undergone abdominal surgery?

The priority nursing diagnosis for a patient who has undergone abdominal surgery is often related to airway management and respiratory function, which is why the risk for impaired gas exchange is significant. After any surgical procedure, especially in the abdominal area, patients are at risk for respiratory complications due to factors such as pain, sedation from anesthesia, and restricted movement.

Abdominal surgery can affect a patient's ability to take deep breaths, which may lead to shallow breathing. This can decrease ventilation and, subsequently, gas exchange. Inadequate gas exchange may result in hypoxia and can create further complications such as atelectasis. Therefore, assessing and ensuring adequate respiratory function is critical in the postoperative care plan.

While the other risks mentioned, such as impaired skin integrity, constipation, and falls, are indeed important in the context of postoperative care, they are generally secondary to the immediate need to ensure effective gas exchange. Thus, identifying the risk for impaired gas exchange as a priority nursing diagnosis emphasizes the critical nature of respiratory monitoring and intervention in the postoperative period.