What symptom may indicate a complication after an open cholecystectomy?

What symptom may indicate a complication after an open cholecystectomy?

• A. Increased appetite.
• B. Cramping and passing blood in stool.
• C. Warmth and redness at the incision site.
• D. Elevated heart rate.

Answer: (B)

Cramping and passing blood in stool can indicate a complication after an open cholecystectomy, such as bowel injury or hemorrhage. During the surgical procedure, there is a risk of inadvertently damaging the intestines or other surrounding structures, which can lead to gastrointestinal bleeding. The presence of blood in the stool suggests that there may be significant internal issues that require immediate medical attention. Additionally, abdominal cramping can be a symptom associated with complications like bowel obstruction or inflammation. On the other hand, increased appetite would not typically indicate a complication after this type of surgery, as patients may experience a decrease in appetite due to postoperative discomfort. Warmth and redness at the incision site may suggest an infection; while this is a possible complication, it is less acute compared to signs of gastrointestinal bleeding. An elevated heart rate can be a response to various factors, including pain, anxiety, or dehydration, but it is not specific to complications following this surgery without accompanying symptoms. Hence, the symptoms of cramping and blood in stool are more directly indicative of a serious complication that may arise after an open cholecystectomy.

Cramping and passing blood in stool can indicate a complication after an open cholecystectomy, such as bowel injury or hemorrhage. During the surgical procedure, there is a risk of inadvertently damaging the intestines or other surrounding structures, which can lead to gastrointestinal bleeding. The presence of blood in the stool suggests that there may be significant internal issues that require immediate medical attention. Additionally, abdominal cramping can be a symptom associated with complications like bowel obstruction or inflammation.

On the other hand, increased appetite would not typically indicate a complication after this type of surgery, as patients may experience a decrease in appetite due to postoperative discomfort. Warmth and redness at the incision site may suggest an infection; while this is a possible complication, it is less acute compared to signs of gastrointestinal bleeding. An elevated heart rate can be a response to various factors, including pain, anxiety, or dehydration, but it is not specific to complications following this surgery without accompanying symptoms. Hence, the symptoms of cramping and blood in stool are more directly indicative of a serious complication that may arise after an open cholecystectomy.