A patient returns to the floor after a laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The nurse should assess the patient for signs and symptoms of what serious potential complication of this surgery?

Choice A reason: Diabetic coma (ketoacidosis or hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state) is a metabolic emergency related to uncontrolled diabetes mellitus. While surgery is a stressor that can affect blood glucose levels, it is not a specific surgical complication of a cholecystectomy unless the patient has poorly managed pre-existing diabetes. Choice B reason: A decubitus ulcer (pressure injury) is a complication of prolonged immobility and poor skin care. While any hospitalized patient is at risk, a laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a minimally invasive procedure with a very short recovery time and early ambulation, making this an unlikely primary surgical complication. Choice C reason: Wound evisceration involves the protrusion of internal organs through a surgical incision. This is a risk in large, open abdominal surgeries with high tension on the suture line. In a laparoscopic procedure, the incisions are very small (stab wounds), making the risk of evisceration extremely low. Choice D reason: Bile duct injury is a known and serious complication specific to cholecystectomy. Accidental clipping, cutting, or thermal injury to the common bile duct can lead to bile peritonitis, jaundice, and systemic sepsis. Nurses must monitor for increasing abdominal pain, fever, and signs of obstructive jaundice postoperatively.