A nurse is providing teaching to a client who is taking tetracycline to treat acne. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?

A. Remove the surgical dressing and obtain a culture: Removing the dressing immediately is unnecessary for routine serosanguineous drainage, which is a normal finding in the early postoperative period. Cultures are only indicated if there are signs of infection such as purulent drainage, redness, or odor.

B. Irrigate the incision with saline: Irrigation is not required for normal serosanguineous drainage and may disrupt the healing process. It is reserved for wounds with debris, infection, or specific provider orders.

C. Clean the wound with hydrogen peroxide: Hydrogen peroxide can damage healthy tissue and delay healing. It is not indicated for routine postoperative care and should be avoided for normal drainage.

D. Mark the outline of the drainage: Marking the outline of the drainage allows the nurse to monitor for changes in amount and size over time. Tracking progression helps identify potential complications such as excessive bleeding or infection and supports timely interventions.

A. Place the client in a supine position: The supine position can worsen dyspnea by limiting diaphragmatic movement and decreasing lung expansion. Clients with respiratory distress should be positioned upright or semi-Fowler’s to facilitate breathing.

B. Instruct the client to perform diaphragmatic breathing: Diaphragmatic breathing helps improve oxygenation and ventilation by promoting deeper, more efficient breaths. It also reduces accessory muscle use and can decrease anxiety associated with shortness of breath.

C. Increase oxygen flow rate to 4 L/min: Oxygen should be titrated to maintain target saturation (usually 92–94% for COPD risk patients). The client’s current oxygen saturation is 92% on 2 L/min, so increasing the flow is unnecessary at this time.

D. Assess the client's breath sounds: Ongoing assessment of breath sounds is essential to monitor for changes such as wheezing, crackles, or diminished air entry, which guide interventions and evaluate response to therapy.

E. Restrict the client's fluid intake: Fluid restriction is not indicated in this client’s current presentation. Adequate hydration helps thin secretions, making coughing and airway clearance more effective.

F. Perform chest percussion and vibration: Chest physiotherapy techniques like percussion and vibration can help loosen and mobilize secretions, improving airway clearance in clients with productive cough and retained secretions.