The client will have an incision in the lower left abdomen. Which of the following measures by the nurse will help decrease discomfort in the incisional area when the client coughs postopera-tively?
a. Applying a splint directly over the lower abdomen
b. Keeping the client flat with feet flexed
c. Turning the client onto the right side
d. Applying pressure above and below the incision
A
Deep-breathing and coughing exercises place additional stress on the suture line and cause dis-comfort. Splinting the incision with hands or a pillow provides firm support and reduces inci-sional pulling.
Keeping the client flat will not decrease discomfort in the incisional area when the client coughs. Having the client bend his or her knees slightly will aid in relaxing the abdominal muscles, causing less discomfort.
Turning the client onto the right side will not decrease discomfort in the incisional area when the client coughs. The client should turn from side to side at least every two hours and may splint the incision to decrease discomfort when doing so.
Applying pressure above and below the incision is not the correct measure. Splinting should be done directly over the incision to provide firm support and reduce incisional pulling as the client coughs postoperatively.
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