Nursing Acceleration Challenge Exam (NACE) PN-RN Practice Test

Postoperative patients should be encouraged to do what to facilitate recovery?

1. Stay completely still.

2. Engage in deep breathing exercises.

3. Refrain from fluids for 6 hours.

4. Limit interaction with healthcare providers.

The correct answer is: Engage in deep breathing exercises.

Engaging in deep breathing exercises is crucial for postoperative patients as it helps prevent complications such as atelectasis, which is the collapse of part or all of a lung. Deep breathing promotes the expansion of the lungs, enhances oxygenation, and assists in clearing secretions that may have accumulated due to anesthesia and immobility during surgery. This practice can also reduce the risk of postoperative pneumonia by encouraging good ventilation in the lungs. Staying completely still can lead to complications such as muscle atrophy and decreased circulation, which may worsen recovery. Refraining from fluids for 6 hours can promote dehydration, which is generally not conducive to recovery unless specifically directed by the healthcare provider. Limiting interaction with healthcare providers can hinder proper monitoring and support, as these interactions are essential for addressing concerns and ensuring a smooth healing process.