A nurse is caring for a postoperative client. Which intervention should the nurse identify as important to prevent postoperative pulmonary complications?

Choice A Reason:

Place suction equipment at the bedside is incorrect. While having suction equipment available is important for emergency situations, it does not directly prevent postoperative pulmonary complications. Suction equipment is used to clear the airway if the client has difficulty breathing or if there is an obstruction.

Choice B Reason:

Administer a prophylactic expectorant is incorrect. Prophylactic expectorants can help in managing secretions, but they are not the primary intervention for preventing postoperative pulmonary complications. The main goal is to promote lung expansion and prevent atelectasis.

Choice C Reason:

Encourage the use of an incentive spirometer is correct. Using an incentive spirometer encourages deep breathing and lung expansion, which helps prevent atelectasis and other postoperative pulmonary complications. It is a key intervention in postoperative care to maintain optimal lung function.

Choice D Reason:

Perform range of motion exercises is incorrect. While range of motion exercises are important for preventing musculoskeletal complications and promoting circulation, they do not directly prevent pulmonary complications. The focus for pulmonary health is on lung expansion and clearing secretions.

Advance directives are legal documents that allow individuals to outline their preferences for medical treatment in case they become unable to communicate their decisions. These documents typically include a living will and a durable power of attorney for healthcare. The living will specifies the types of medical treatment a person wishes to receive or avoid, while the durable power of attorney for healthcare designates a trusted individual to make healthcare decisions on their behalf.

Choice A Reason:

“I will get my regular doctor to approve my plan before I hand it in to the hospital.”

This statement indicates a misunderstanding of the purpose of advance directives. While it is important to discuss your advance directives with your healthcare provider, the primary purpose of these documents is to communicate your wishes regarding medical treatment, not to seek approval from your doctor. The advance directive is a personal document that reflects your values and preferences for medical care.

Choice B Reason:

“I know they won’t go ahead with the surgery unless I prepare these forms.”

This statement also reflects a misunderstanding. While having advance directives in place is highly recommended, it is not typically a prerequisite for undergoing surgery. Advance directives are important for ensuring that your medical wishes are respected, but they are not mandatory for surgical procedures. The focus should be on making sure your wishes are known and documented, rather than on the necessity of the forms for surgery.

Choice C Reason:

“I plan to write that I do not want them to keep me on a breathing machine.”

This statement correctly reflects the purpose of an advance directive. It shows that the patient understands that they can specify their preferences for medical treatment, such as whether or not they want to be kept on a breathing machine. This type of instruction is a common component of a living will, which is part of an advance directive. It ensures that healthcare providers are aware of the patient’s wishes regarding life-sustaining treatments.

Choice D Reason:

“I would rather have my brother make decisions for me, but I know he has to be my wife.”

This statement is incorrect and confusing. It seems to mix up the roles of different individuals. In an advance directive, you can designate a healthcare proxy or durable power of attorney for healthcare, who can be any trusted person, not necessarily a spouse. The statement also contains a factual error, as it implies that the brother must be the patient’s wife, which is not possible. The correct understanding is that you can choose any trusted individual to make healthcare decisions on your behalf.