Question:
The nurse is caring for a patient 12 hours after abdominal surgery. Which method would facilitate controlled coughing in the postoperative patient? Instruct the patient to control and prevent coughs by drinking water. Teach the patient to splint the incision with a pillow to help prevent pain. Hold pain medication to ensure that the patient is alert enough to participate. Instruct the patient to take shallow breaths to prevent pain while coughing.