Which of the following is a common postoperative sign that could indicate a shunt complication?

• A. Abdominal distention
• B. Improved energy
• C. Weight gain
• D. Clear speech

Answer: (A)

After placing a ventriculoperitoneal shunt, the body’s signs of trouble often point to issues with how the CSF is handled by the abdominal part of the system. Abdominal distention stands out as a common postoperative sign because if the distal catheter is blocked, or if the peritoneum isn’t absorbing CSF properly, CSF can accumulate in the abdomen or a peritoneal pseudocyst can form. That leads to a visibly distended abdomen and sometimes discomfort, vomiting, or decreased feeding. These abdominal changes flag that the shunt may not be functioning correctly and prompt further evaluation.

The other options reflect improvements or non-specific changes in status. Gaining energy or having clear speech suggests better neurologic function, not a complication. Weight gain could occur for various reasons but isn’t a typical direct sign of a shunt problem in the postoperative setting.