A nurse is providing postoperative care to a 30-year-old client in the nursing unit following a surgical procedure under general anesthesia. What must the nurse perform when assisting the client to use the incentive spirometer?

Question

A) Place the client in a lateral lying position during the procedure.
B) Ask the client to avoid coughing or breathing rapidly during the procedure.
C) Ask the client to inhale slowly with 8 to 10 repetitions.
D) Instruct the client to avoid coughing after the procedure.

Answer 1

C
Feedback:
When assisting the client to use the incentive spirometer, it is important to ensure that the client inhale slowly with at least 8 to 10 repetitions. The client is positioned in an upright position rather than a side-lying position to allow the maximum use of the client's diaphragm when performing the procedure. The client is instructed to cough and remove as much mucus as possible before the procedure to ensure that the client can perform the procedure effectively with maximum inhalation. The client is instructed to repeat coughing or huffing at the end of the procedure to ensure that the lungs clear as much as possible.