Skill 57
Postoperative Exercises
Structured preoperative teaching has a positive influence on a surgical patient’s recovery (Lewis et al., 2011). You will provide information and teach skills to help patients understand the surgical experience and participate actively in the recovery process.
Postoperative exercises include diaphragmatic breathing and effective coughing, turning, and leg exercises. The physician may order incentive spirometry for patients especially at risk for atelectasis or pneumonia (e.g., chronic smokers or patients who have experienced prolonged bed rest).
Delegation Considerations
The skill of teaching postoperative exercises cannot be delegated to nursing assistive personnel (NAP). The NAP can reinforce and help patients in performing postoperative exercises. The nurse directs the NAP about:
▪ Maintaining precautions unique to a particular patient.
▪ When to report if the patient is unable or unwilling to perform the exercises correctly.
