What is a common cause of impaired urinary function post-operatively?

Impaired urinary function post-operatively is often linked to anesthetic usage because many anesthetic agents can affect the body's natural ability to initiate and maintain urination. These agents can lead to urinary retention due to their impact on the nervous system, which may inhibit the reflexes necessary for bladder contraction. Additionally, anesthetics can result in decreased bladder tone and impaired coordination of the bladder muscles, further complicating post-operative urination.

In contrast, while other factors like infection or excessive fluid intake can also affect urinary function, they do not have the widespread impact that anesthetics typically do immediately following surgery. Increased physical activity, which is often encouraged post-operatively to promote recovery, usually does not lead to impaired urinary function and can instead help stimulate bowel and bladder activity. Focusing on anesthetic usage is critical when considering the most common cause of urinary impairment in the immediate post-operative period.