Assisting Postoperative Client to Deep Breathe and Cough

Deep Breathing

1. Explain what you are going to do
2. Provide privacy
3. Assist client into sitting position
4. Have client place hands over lower end of rib cage with tips of third fingers just touching each other
5. Instruct client to deep breathe by:
   1. Exhaling until the ribs move down as far as possible
   2. Breathe in through the nose as deeply as possible. Client will be able to feel fingers separate during inhalation
   3. Hold the breathe for a count of three (3)
   4. Exhale slowly through pursed lips until the ribs move as far down as possible

6. Repeat according to care plan, usually every one to two hours while awake

Coughing

1. Explain what you are going to do
2. Ask client to place interlaced fingers or a small pillow over the incision
3. Have client take two deep breathe
4. Tell client to take another deep breath, hold it for a count of three, and then cough twice with mouth open
5. Repeat according to care plan, usually two or three coughs per hour