Perioperative Knowledge: Common Complications and Nursing Strategies During Recovery from General Anesthesia

Essential Nursing Strategies and Common Complications in the Post-Anesthesia Recovery Phase

In the recovery period following general anesthesia — from cessation of the anesthetic agent to the restoration of stable vital signs or consciousness — patients face a high-risk phase with potential complications spanning neuro-psychiatric, respiratory and circulatory systems. This article systematically reviews key complications such as shivering, hypothermia, nausea/vomiting, agitation and injury, and correlates them with factors including surgery type, infusion of cold fluids/blood, environmental temperature and anesthesia technique. It emphasises proactive nursing strategies: active warming, minimising thermal and physiologic insults, early extubation, multi-modal analgesia and psychological support — thereby enhancing patient safety and promoting optimal recovery.