What is a primary assessment finding to follow up after knee surgery?

After knee surgery, a primary assessment finding that warrants follow-up is dull throbbing pain. This type of pain can indicate complications such as inadequate pain management or the onset of issues like infection or blood clots. Following surgery, it is typical for patients to experience some level of pain related to the procedure, but the nature and intensity of the pain should be continuously assessed.

Dull throbbing pain might also suggest potential swelling or inflammation in the area, which can be part of the healing process but needs to be monitored to ensure that it does not escalate into a more serious problem.

In contrast, while high blood pressure can be a concern, it is not a direct indicator of complications from knee surgery specifically. Clear respiratory sounds are generally a sign of good respiratory function and not a significant concern in this context. Low blood sugar is more related to metabolic issues and would not typically be a primary consideration following knee surgery unless there are specific risk factors present in the patient. Thus, monitoring for dull throbbing pain is crucial in the post-operative care regimen for knee surgeries.