A patient recovering from abdominal surgery is having difficulty developing an effective cough. Which of the following actions would you recommend to aid this patient in generating a more effective cough?
1) Coordinating coughing with pain medication
2) Using the forced expiration technique (FET)
3) Supplying manual epigastric compression
4) "Splinting" the operative site

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Coordinating coughing with pain medication can help reduce discomfort during coughing, making it more effective. The forced expiration technique (FET) aids in clearing secretions by using a huffing technique. "Splinting" the operative site provides support, reducing pain and facilitating a stronger cough. Manual epigastric compression is not typically recommended for enhancing cough effectiveness post-abdominal surgery due to potential discomfort and risk of harm to the surgical site.

A Patient Recovering from Abdominal Surgery Is Having Difficulty Developing