Final answer:
Teaching the patient to perform deep breathing and coughing exercises is the best intervention to address potential complications following an ischemic stroke, as it helps to prevent respiratory issues like pneumonia.
Step-by-step explanation:
The nurse is caring for a patient recovering from an ischemic stroke. An important intervention that addresses a potential complication after an ischemic stroke is teaching the patient to perform deep breathing and coughing exercises. Deep breathing and coughing exercises are critical as they help prevent respiratory complications, such as pneumonia, which is a common complication after a stroke due to impaired swallowing and cough reflexes. These exercises help to clear the airways and improve lung expansion, reducing the risk of atelectasis and pneumonia. Providing frequent small meals can help with nutritional support and prevent choking in case of dysphagia, while a urinary catheter may be used cautiously to manage urinary retention or incontinence, but should not be kept in situ for the full duration of recovery as it carries a risk for urinary tract infections. Limiting intake of insoluble fiber may be recommended if the patient has swallowing difficulties or gastrointestinal complications.