Author Question: A client who is postoperative from day 1 following abdominal surgery experiences excruciating pain ... (Read 92 times)

Metfan725 · **on:** Jul 22, 2018

A client who is postoperative from day 1 following abdominal surgery experiences excruciating pain when he tries to perform the deep breathing and coughing exercises he was taught.

What should the nurse do to reduce the client's discomfort when coughing? A) Administer prescribed pain medication just before coughing.
B) Ask the client to drink plenty of water before coughing.
C) Ask the client to lie in a lateral position when coughing.
D) Administer analgesia 30 minutes before attempting to cough.

Question 2

An elderly client is being seen at the clinic after experiencing a fall inside his home. He appears to have suffered no ill effects of the fall but his wife has asked the nurse he might benefit from the use of a cane.

The nurse should be aware of what criterion for the safe use of a cane? A) The client's weakness must be bilaterally equal.
B) The client must be able to support his full body weight on his arms and upper body.
C) The client should first demonstrate that a walker does not provide sufficient support during ambulation.
D) The client's weakness must be primarily limited to one side of his body.

gabrielle_lawrence · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 22, 2018

Answer to Question 1

D
Feedback:
Coughing is painful for clients with abdominal or chest incisions. Administering pain medication approximately 30 minutes before coughing, or splinting the incision when coughing, can reduce discomfort. Making the client lie in a lateral position or asking the client to drink plenty of water is not helpful because it will make breathing and coughing even more difficult for the client.

Answer to Question 2

D
Feedback:
A client who has weakness on one side of the body uses a cane. The client does not need to be able to support his or her full body weight with the upper body in order to use a cane safely and effectively. A walker provides more support than a cane.