Objective To investigate the effect of risk assessment-based rehabilitation nursing on the recovery and complications in patients who underwent cesarean section. Methods A total of 98 patients who received cesarean section in a hospital in Dalian from March 2017 to January 2021 were selected as the subjects and randomly allocated into the control group（n=49） and the observation group（n=49）. Patients in the control group received routine rehabilitation nursing

and patients in the observation group risk assessment-based rehabilitation nursing. Patients in both groups received continuous intervention for 1 week. The recovery of clinical indicators was compared between the two groups

pain level [visual analogue scale（VAS） score]

negative emotions [Hamilton Anxiety Scale（HAMA） and Hamilton Depression Scale（HAMD） scores]

and quality of life [The 36-Item Short Form Survey（SF-36） quality of life score] before and after the intervention were compared between the two groups

and the occurrence of complications during intervention was compared between the two groups. Results The recovery time of clinical indicators（catheter indwelling time

time to passage of gas by anus

duration of lochia

normal eating time） in the observation group was significantly different from that in the control group（P<0.05）. After the intervention

VAS

HAMA

and HAMD scores in the two groups were lower than those before the intervention

and the observation group was lower than the control group

with statistically significant differences（P<0.05）. After the intervention

the scores of health status

social function

mental health

and energy in the two groups were higher than those before the intervention

and the observation group was higher than the control group

with statistically significant differences（P<0.05）. The incidence rate of complications during the intervention in the observation group was 2.04%

which was lower than that in the control group（14.28%）

and the difference was statistically significant（P<0.05）. Conclusion The risk assessment-based rehabilitation nursing can promote the rapid recovery of patients underwent cesarean section

effectively relieve their postoperative pain

relieve negative emotions

and improve the quality of life

with low risk of complications. These benefits justify a wider application of this procedure in clinical practice.