A student nurse has been assigned to a 67-year-old patient who is undergoing thoracic surgery to remove a tumor.As part of the preoperative teaching,the student nurse discusses the importance of coughing.Which of the following statements is true regarding why postoperative coughing is important? (Select all that apply.)

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Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A patient learns to use the diaphragm during deep breathing to take slow,deep,and relaxed breaths.Eventually a patient's lung volume improves.Deep breathing also helps to clear any anesthetic gases from the airways.To facilitate deep breathing a health care provider often orders an incentive spirometer for a patient.Coughing assists in removing retained mucus in the airways.A deep,productive cough is more beneficial than merely clearing the throat.Teach the patient to splint an abdominal or thoracic incision to minimize pain during coughing.Pain control is essential for effective deep breathing and coughing; educate the patient to ask for pain medications as needed.Deep breathing also helps to clear any anesthetic gases from the airways.The patient needs to anticipate postoperative discomfort and understand the importance of coughing,even when it is painful.Deep breathing is not fast and shallow,it is slow and deep.Coughing and deep breathing are encouraged even if dehiscence is a possibility,teaching them to splint wound.

A Student Nurse Has Been Assigned to a 67-Year-Old Patient