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The nurse is planning discharge education for a client after coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Which instruction does the nurse include in this client's teaching?

a. "Remember to drink at least 3 liters of fluid daily."
b. "You should abstain from sexual activity for 6 months."
c. "Take your pulse before, midway through, and after exercising."
d. "Stop taking your antihyperlipidemic medication at this time."

User Jazline
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Final answer:

The correct instruction for discharge education after coronary artery bypass graft surgery is to take the patient's pulse before, midway through, and after exercising to ensure they do not overexert themselves, alongside maintaining a heart-healthy lifestyle and medication regimen.

Step-by-step explanation:

When planning discharge education for a client after coronary artery bypass graft surgery, a nurse should include instructions that promote long-term heart health and ensure safety during the recovery period. One such instruction could be c. "Take your pulse before, midway through, and after exercising." This is important because monitoring the heart rate during exercise helps to ensure that the client does not overexert themselves, which is crucial after cardiac surgery.

After such surgery, it is recommended to make lifestyle changes like adopting a diet low in sodium and saturated fats, regular exercise, and continuing medications that manage blood pressure, cholesterol, and clotting to prevent atherosclerosis and support vascular homeostasis.

The recommendation to drink 3 liters of fluid daily is not specific to coronary bypass post-care, abstaining from sexual activity is only advised for a specific period which is not usually as long as 6 months (and should be decided upon by the healthcare provider), and stopping antihyperlipidemic medication without medical advice could be harmful to the individual.

User Lijju Mathew
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