The nurse is admitting a patient to the medical–surgical unit from the PACU. What should the nurse do to help the patient clear secretions and help prevent pneumonia?
A) Encourage the patient to eat a balanced diet that is high in protein.
B) Encourage the patient to limit his activity for the first 72 hours.
C) Encourage the patient to take his medications as ordered.
D) Encourage the patient to use the incentive spirometer every 2 hours.
Ans: D
Feedback:
To clear secretions and prevent pneumonia, the nurse encourages the patient to turn frequently, take deep breaths, cough, and use the incentive spirometer at least every 2 hours. These pulmonary exercises should begin as soon as the patient arrives on the clinical unit and continue until the patient is discharged. A balanced, high protein diet; visiting family in the waiting room; or taking medications as ordered would not help to clear secretions or prevent pneumonia.
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