The nurse receives an obese client in the postanesthesia care unit who underwent a procedure under general anesthesia. The nurse notes an oxygen saturation of 88%. Which is the most appropriate initial intervention?

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11ecbb05_ca75_effb_b433_09df97ed08a8_MD0009_00 Head tilt and chin lift is a maneuver used to open the airway. The tongue may fall back and occlude the airway due to muscular flaccidity after general anesthesia. Manifestations associated with airway obstruction include snoring, use of accessory muscles, decreased oxygen saturations, and cyanosis. (Option A) Constricted pupils can help identify opioid overdose. However, this should not be assessed before opening the airway. (Option B) Auscultation of lung sounds should be done for every client as part of the postoperative assessment. However, the initial goal is to return the oxygen saturation level to normal (95%-100%). Hypoxia in an obese postoperative client who received general anesthesia is most likely due to airway obstruction. (Option C) The anesthesia professional may need to be informed, but methods to restore the oxygen saturation level should be tried first. The anesthesia professional may then want to assess the sedation level of the client and prescribe a reversal agent. Educational objective: Postoperative client care after general anesthesia requires careful monitoring for hypoxia. One of the first nursing interventions is the head tilt and chin lift to open an occluded airway.

The Nurse Receives an Obese Client in the Postanesthesia Care