title: Identifying risk factors for postoperative pulmonary complications.
abstract: Postoperative pulmonary complications are potentially preventable adverse events that are a major source of postoperative morbidity and mortality. Although these events occur more frequently than cardiac complications, less is known about how to predict their occurrence. This review of the literature identifies significant risk factors for postoperative pulmonary complications. Nurses can be instrumental in preventing postoperative pulmonary complications by identifying patients at risk for their development.
authors.affiliation: Simmons College, Boston, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Priscilla K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Gazarian
mesh_terms: D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records; D024802:Nurse's Role; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects