Which is a potential contributor to postoperative hypertension?

Which is a potential contributor to postoperative hypertension?

• A. Hypernatremia
• B. Urinary retention
• C. Increased physical activity post-op
• D. Adequate pain control

Answer: (B)

Postoperative hypertension often comes from factors that boost the sympathetic nervous system or change volume status. Urinary retention fits this pattern because a full bladder sends signals that trigger a sympathetic surge, raising heart rate and systemic vascular resistance and thus increasing blood pressure. In the immediate post-op period, opioids and anesthesia can contribute to bladder withholding, so relieving the retention with catheterization typically helps bring BP down promptly. Hypernatremia can affect fluid balance and neurologic status, but it isn’t a common, direct driver of acute postoperative hypertension. Increased physical activity after surgery tends to improve circulation rather than raise blood pressure, and adequate pain control actually reduces sympathetic drive and lowers BP.

Postoperative hypertension often comes from factors that boost the sympathetic nervous system or change volume status. Urinary retention fits this pattern because a full bladder sends signals that trigger a sympathetic surge, raising heart rate and systemic vascular resistance and thus increasing blood pressure. In the immediate post-op period, opioids and anesthesia can contribute to bladder withholding, so relieving the retention with catheterization typically helps bring BP down promptly.

Hypernatremia can affect fluid balance and neurologic status, but it isn’t a common, direct driver of acute postoperative hypertension. Increased physical activity after surgery tends to improve circulation rather than raise blood pressure, and adequate pain control actually reduces sympathetic drive and lowers BP.