The nurse is caring for a patient who had a cholecystectomy this morning. The patient is reluctant to deep breathe and cough. What nursing intervention would most effectively assist the patient to cough and breathe?

Question

a. Remind the patient to deep breathe and cough every hour.
b. Reinforce the importance of the deep breathing and coughing activities.
c. Teach the patient to use relaxation and distraction techniques.
d. Medicate the patient for pain, and assist to splint the abdomen.

Answer 1

ANS: D
Patients are usually reluctant to cough and deep breathe after cholecystectomy because the high incision makes coughing painful. Medicating for pain and splinting the incision allow the patient to cough without excessive pain. Simply reminding and teaching do not solve the problem. Relaxation is helpful but should be in addition to, not instead of, analgesia.