Question

A nurse is encouraging a post-operative patient to cough and take deep breaths. This nursing action is due to the understanding by the nurse that retaining of pulmonary secretions can lead to:

a) Pneumonia
b) Asthma
c) Bronchitis
d) Emphysema

Answer 1

The nurse encourages coughing and deep breathing after surgery to prevent pneumonia, which is an inflammation of the lungs due to fluid-filled alveoli.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse is encouraging a post-operative patient to cough and take deep breaths because retaining pulmonary secretions can lead to pneumonia. Pneumonia is an inflammatory condition of the respiratory tract where alveoli become filled with fluid, inhibiting gas exchange and leading to symptoms such as coughing, chest pain, and difficulty breathing. It is often caused by infections and can be serious if not treated promptly. Deep breathing and coughing help to clear the pulmonary secretions and reduce the risk of developing pneumonia.