What key symptom should a nurse monitor for indicating possible post-surgical complications in craniotomy patients?

In the context of craniotomy patients, monitoring for severe headaches is crucial as this can indicate significant post-surgical complications such as increased intracranial pressure or the development of a hematoma. After surgery, the brain is sensitive to changes in pressure, and severe headaches may signify that there are underlying issues that need immediate attention. Neurological assessments are critical in this recovery phase, and severe headaches could also be associated with other serious conditions like infection or fluid accumulation.

While confusion may suggest neurological issues, it is often a more ambiguous sign and can arise from several different factors. Vomiting can be a reaction to anesthesia or a sign of increased intracranial pressure, but again, it is less specific than severe headache in indicating an urgent complication. Excessive urination is typically not associated with craniotomy recovery and may pertain to other medical conditions unrelated to the surgical procedure. Thus, monitoring for severe headaches is particularly important in the post-operative care of craniotomy patients.