Final answer:
Monitor the patient for any signs of distress, and if there are none, allow the patient to continue exercising at a moderate pace as long as the heart rate remains within a safe range post-surgery.
Step-by-step explanation:
You are caring for a 65-year-old patient 2 days after surgery; you are helping him walk down the hallway. The surgeon has ordered exercise as tolerated. Your assessment indicates that the patient's heart rate at baseline is 88. After walking approximately 30 yards down the hallway, the heart rate is 110. Considering this information, your next action should be to monitor the patient closely for any signs of discomfort, weakness, or respiratory distress. If the patient exhibits none of these symptoms, encourage the patient to continue exercising at a moderate pace, which is within the acceptable limits for his age and post-surgical condition. Consistent with the principle that exercise promotes cardiovascular health, it is essential to ensure that the patient's heart rate remains within a safe range during physical activity, especially following surgery.