After an adrenalectomy for Cushing's syndrome, which of the following assessment cues is considered an expected finding?

After an adrenalectomy for Cushing's syndrome, which of the following assessment cues is considered an expected finding?

• A. Pain rating
• B. Surgical dressing drainage
• C. Abdominal assessment
• D. Urinary output

Answer: (A)

Pain is an expected finding after an adrenalectomy because any surgical incision and tissue manipulation produce postoperative pain. The pain rating provides a direct, objective measure of how comfortable the patient is and how well analgesia is working. Regularly assessing pain helps tailor analgesic therapy so the patient can breathe deeply, cough, and ambulate effectively—actions that reduce respiratory complications and promote recovery. While some drainage or changes in urinary output can occur after surgery, they are not as universally expected indicators of recovery as the presence and level of pain. Abdominal assessment is important, but the most immediate, actionable postoperative cue is how much pain the patient is experiencing and how well it’s being controlled.

Pain is an expected finding after an adrenalectomy because any surgical incision and tissue manipulation produce postoperative pain. The pain rating provides a direct, objective measure of how comfortable the patient is and how well analgesia is working. Regularly assessing pain helps tailor analgesic therapy so the patient can breathe deeply, cough, and ambulate effectively—actions that reduce respiratory complications and promote recovery. While some drainage or changes in urinary output can occur after surgery, they are not as universally expected indicators of recovery as the presence and level of pain. Abdominal assessment is important, but the most immediate, actionable postoperative cue is how much pain the patient is experiencing and how well it’s being controlled.