Gastrointestinal System Nursing Exam Questions Related

Review Gastrointestinal System Nursing Exam Questions related questions and content

Which nursing measure would be most effective in helping the client cough and deep breathe after a cholecystectomy?

  • A. Having the client take rapid, shallow breaths to decrease pain.
  • B. Having the client lay on the left side while coughing and deep breathing.
  • C. Teaching the client to use a folded blanket or pillow to splint the incision.
  • D. Withholding pain medication so the client can be alert enough to follow the nurse's instructions.
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Teaching the client to use a folded blanket or pillow to splint the incision. This measure helps support the incision site, reducing pain during coughing and deep breathing. Splinting the incision promotes effective coughing and deep breathing post-surgery, aiding in lung expansion and preventing complications like atelectasis.

Explanation of why other choices are incorrect:
A: Having the client take rapid, shallow breaths to decrease pain is incorrect as it can lead to inadequate lung expansion and retention of secretions.
B: Having the client lay on the left side while coughing and deep breathing is incorrect as it does not directly support the incision site and may not be as effective in reducing pain.
D: Withholding pain medication so the client can be alert enough to follow the nurse's instructions is incorrect as pain management is crucial post-surgery for comfort and optimal recovery.