Nursing Diagnosis: Delayed Surgical Recovery

Delayed surgical recovery is defined as a delay in a patient's recovery after a surgical procedure such that the patient takes longer than expected to be able to take care of himself.

Characteristics

• There are several defining characteristics that lead to a diagnosis of delayed surgical recovery. One of the primary characteristics is if the patient has to postpone or delay returning to work or resuming normal activities around the home. Another characteristic is if the patient perceives that he needs more time to recover. The third characteristic is if the patient needs help to complete self-care activities.

Contributing Factors

• Factors that contribute to delayed surgical recovery include poor wound healing at the site of the surgery, as well as reports of pain and difficulty in moving around. Furthermore, if the patient experiences loss of appetite and nausea, this may delay surgical recovery.

Alternative Definition

• The author of Nursing Diagnosis: Application to Clinical Practice notes that the diagnosis of delayed surgical recovery has not been sufficiently developed for clinical use. She recommends using alternative diagnoses, such as Self-Care Deficit or Acute Pain.