What might happen if anticoagulants are not administered correctly post-surgery?

Administering anticoagulants correctly post-surgery is crucial for preventing complications such as thromboembolism and deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Postoperative patients are at an increased risk for these conditions due to factors like immobility, vascular injury, and hypercoagulability related to surgery. If anticoagulants are not given as prescribed, the patient may not receive the necessary protection against blood clot formation, leading to an elevated risk of clots that can travel to the lungs (pulmonary embolism) or form in the legs (DVT). This can result in serious health complications, including potential mortality, highlighting the importance of meticulous management of anticoagulant therapy in the postoperative period.