The nurse provides discharge teaching for a 61-year-old patient who has had a left modified radical mastectomy and lymph node dissection. Which statement by the patient indicates that teaching has been successful?
a. "I will need to use my right arm and to rest the left one."
b. "I will avoid reaching over the stove with my left hand."
c. "I will keep my left arm in a sling until the incision is healed."
d. "I will stop the left arm exercises if moving the arm is painful."
ANS: B
The patient should avoid any activity that might injure the left arm, such as reaching over a burner. If the left arm exercises are painful, analgesics should be used and the exercises continued in order to restore strength and range of motion. The left arm should be elevated at or above heart level and should be used to improve range of motion and function.
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