Which statement best describes postoperative care for a patient scheduled for resection of the right lung?

Which statement best describes postoperative care for a patient scheduled for resection of the right lung?

• A. There will be a right-sided chest tube, and you will be on bed rest until it is removed.
• B. Leg exercises will be carried out every 2 hours while you are awake.
• C. You will have incentive spirometry at least four times daily to prevent atelectasis.
• D. Vigorous coughing will be necessary to expectorate excess sputum.

Answer: (B)

After a lung resection, the aim is to prevent complications from immobility while promoting lung expansion and circulation. Doing leg exercises every couple of hours while you’re awake helps move blood back toward the heart, reducing venous stasis and the risk of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. This emphasis on regular movement aligns with early mobilization and active anticipation of recovery, rather than bed rest. Incentive spirometry is important to expand the lungs and prevent atelectasis, but it’s typically done more than just a few times a day—it's used repeatedly during wakeful hours to maximize lung inflation. Chest tubes may be present, but care focuses on mobility and protection of the surgical site rather than prolonged bed rest. Coughing is necessary for airway clearance, yet it’s done gently with splinting to avoid stressing the operative area. Vigorous coughing is not routinely encouraged early on.

After a lung resection, the aim is to prevent complications from immobility while promoting lung expansion and circulation. Doing leg exercises every couple of hours while you’re awake helps move blood back toward the heart, reducing venous stasis and the risk of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. This emphasis on regular movement aligns with early mobilization and active anticipation of recovery, rather than bed rest.

Incentive spirometry is important to expand the lungs and prevent atelectasis, but it’s typically done more than just a few times a day—it's used repeatedly during wakeful hours to maximize lung inflation. Chest tubes may be present, but care focuses on mobility and protection of the surgical site rather than prolonged bed rest. Coughing is necessary for airway clearance, yet it’s done gently with splinting to avoid stressing the operative area. Vigorous coughing is not routinely encouraged early on.