What condition can cause diaphoresis and tachycardia 24 hours after surgery?

The condition that can lead to diaphoresis and tachycardia 24 hours after surgery is alcohol withdrawal. After a person who is dependent on alcohol undergoes surgery, the stress of the procedure, along with potential changes in their regular intake of alcohol, can prompt withdrawal symptoms.

Alcohol withdrawal typically begins within 6 to 24 hours after the last drink and can manifest as a range of symptoms, which include autonomic instability (leading to symptoms such as diaphoresis and tachycardia), anxiety, tremors, and in severe cases, delirium tremens. Given that these symptoms can present relatively soon after a surgical procedure, it is essential for healthcare providers to monitor individuals with a history of alcohol use closely during the postoperative period.

While metabolic acidosis, anaphylaxis, and antibiotic reactions can engender various symptoms post-surgery, they do not typically develop specifically around the 24-hour mark in the same way that alcohol withdrawal symptoms do after a patient stops consuming alcohol. Metabolic acidosis tends to present with distinct acid-base disturbances and is generally identified through laboratory tests. Anaphylaxis is an acute allergic reaction that occurs quickly, often requiring immediate intervention. Antibiotic reactions may also present with other symptoms but largely depend on