Which is the priority nursing diagnosis for a patient with shallow respirations following abdominal surgery?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Ineffective breathing pattern is the priority nursing diagnosis because the patient's respirations are shallow after surgery.The patient is at risk for developing pneumonia or atelectasis if the nurse does not encourage deep breathing.Deficient diversional activity and readiness for enhanced comfort are not priority diagnoses.Risk for suffocation is not applicable as stress after surgery would not lead to suffocation.

Which Is the Priority Nursing Diagnosis for a Patient with Shallow