Question

A nurse is planning care for a client who is having a modified radical mastectomy of the right breast. Which of the following interventions should the nurse include in the plan of care?

a) Elevate the right arm on a pillow
b) Apply ice to the surgical site for the first 24 hours
c) Encourage active range of motion exercises on the affected arm
d) Instruct the client to sleep on the right side for comfort

Answer 1

Post-mastectomy care includes elevating the right arm on a pillow to prevent swelling, and encouraging gentle range of motion exercises as part of a progressive physical therapy plan. Sleeping on the operated side is not recommended for comfort or healing.

Step-by-step explanation:

A nurse planning care for a client who is having a modified radical mastectomy of the right breast should include a variety of interventions to ensure proper recovery. One important intervention is to elevate the right arm on a pillow to prevent lymphedema and to promote drainage from the surgical site. Encouraging gentle range of motion exercises for the affected arm is also important; however, these should be active-assistive rather than active exercises early on to avoid straining the surgical site. This is part of the appropriate physical therapy plan that progresses in phases after a thorough evaluation by a physical therapist to enhance healing and restore function. Instructing the client to sleep on the operated side is not advisable since it may cause discomfort and impair the healing process.