While caring for a patient who had abdominal surgery on the second postoperative day, which information about the patient is most important to communicate to the health care provider?

• A. The right calf is swollen, warm, and painful.
• B. The patient's temperature is 100.3 F (37.9 C).
• C. The 24-hour oral intake is 600 ml greater than the total output.
• D. The patient complains of abdominal pain at level 6 (0-10 scale).

Answer: (A)

Unilateral calf swelling with warmth and tenderness after abdominal surgery points to a possible deep vein thrombosis, which is a major postoperative risk because a clot can dislodge and travel to the lungs, causing a potentially life‑threatening pulmonary embolism. Because of this danger, reporting this finding to the health care provider right away is the priority so the patient can be evaluated with appropriate imaging and started on treatment if needed. Mild fever, a fluid balance showing more intake than output, and moderate abdominal pain are common in the early post-op period and, while important to monitor, do not carry the same immediate risk as a suspected DVT.