What is the earliest sign of volume overload immediate after an operative procedure?: (A) Weight gain, (B) Increased Blood Pressure, (C) Peripheral oedema, (D) Distended neck veins
Answer is A. Weight gain is the earliest sign of volume overload immediately after an operative procedure. It occurs most commonly due to excess of isotonic fluids because of overestimation of third-space losses or to ongoing GI losses which cannot be measured precisely. Volume overload can also present as: Increased cardiac output Increased central venous pressure Pulmonary edema Distended neck veins