The nurse is assessing a postoperative patient with a history of obstructive sleep apnea for airway obstruction. Which assessment finding will $\mathbf{best}$ alert the nurse to this complication?

A) Drop in pulse oximetry readings
B) Moaning with reports of pain
C) Shallow respirations
D) Disorientation

One of the greatest concerns after general anesthesia is airway obstruction, especially in patients with obstructive sleep apnea. A drop in oxygen saturation by pulse oximetry is a sign of airway obstruction in patients with obstructive sleep apnea. Weak pharyngeal/laryngeal muscle tone from anesthetics; secretions in the pharynx, bronchial tree, or trachea; and laryngeal or subglottic edema also contribute to airway obstruction. In the postanesthetic patient, the tongue is a major cause of airway obstruction. Shallow respirations are indicative of respiratory depression. Moaning and reports of pain are common in all surgical patients and are an expected event. Disorientation is common when first awakening from anesthesia but can be a sign of hypoxia.