Final answer:
One common echocardiographic postoperative finding in a cardiac surgery patient is pleural effusion, which refers to the abnormal accumulation of fluid in the pleural space surrounding the lungs.
Step-by-step explanation:
A common echocardiographic postoperative finding in a cardiac surgery patient is pleural effusion. Pleural effusion refers to the abnormal accumulation of fluid in the pleural space surrounding the lungs. It can occur as a result of inflammation or leakage of fluid from blood vessels during surgery. Echocardiography is a diagnostic imaging technique used to visualize the heart and detect abnormalities such as pleural effusion.