Question

Which fo the following interventions would be appropriate for the nurse to implement for a patient recovering form a surgical procedure? Select all that apply

a. Teach the patient to suppress the urge to cough in order to protect the incision
b. Encourage the patient to take frequent, shallow breaths to improve lung expansion and volume
c. Encourage the patient to perform deep-breathing exercises every 1-2 hours for at least the first 48 hours after surgery
d. Encourage the patient to lie still in bed with the incision facing upward to prevent putting pressure on the wound closure
e. Teach the patient the appropriate leg exercises to increase venous blood return from the legs
f. Encourage the patient to use incentive spirometry 10 times each waking hour

Answer 1

Postoperative care includes deep-breathing exercises, leg exercises to prevent thrombosis, and the use of incentive spirometry to promote lung function and prevent complications.

Step-by-step explanation:

The appropriate interventions for a patient recovering from a surgical procedure are to encourage deep-breathing exercises, teach leg exercises to increase venous return, and encourage the use of incentive spirometry.

Postoperative care is crucial for patient recovery after undergoing surgery. It involves a combination of respiratory exercises and mobilization techniques to prevent complications such as atelectasis, pneumonia, and deep vein thrombosis. Encouraging patients to perform deep-breathing exercises every 1-2 hours within the first 48 hours post-surgery helps to maintain proper lung expansion and prevents the collapse of airways, which is vital for effective gas exchange and minimizing pulmonary complications. Incentive spirometry is especially helpful as it visually guides patients to take slow, deep breaths, aiding in lung expansion and preventing atelectasis. Teaching patients appropriate leg exercises to perform helps increase venous blood return, which is essential for preventing the formation of blood clots in the lower extremities, commonly known as deep vein thrombosis. However, patients should not suppress the urge to cough as coughing is a natural way to clear the airways of secretions and prevent infections. Instead, patients can be taught how to support their incisions during coughing to minimize discomfort.