A nurse is reinforcing preoperative teaching with a client who will undergo abdominal surgery. The nurse explains that the client will wear antiembolism stockings after the procedure. When the client asks what the stockings do, which of the following responses should the nurse make?

(A) "I’ll breathe deeply and cough every 4 hours."
Deep breathing and coughing exercises should be done more frequently, typically every 1-2 hours while awake, to help prevent respiratory complications such as atelectasis and pneumonia.

(B) "I’ll splint my incision with a pillow to cough."
This statement indicates an understanding of the instructions. Splinting the incision with a pillow helps support the surgical site, reduces pain, and makes coughing more effective and less uncomfortable. This technique is important for clients to use to help clear secretions from the lungs postoperatively.

(C) "I’ll start to use the incentive spirometer when I can get out of bed."
The use of an incentive spirometer should begin as soon as possible, usually while the client is still in bed, to encourage deep breathing and prevent postoperative respiratory complications. It should not be delayed until the client can get out of bed.

(D) "I’ll lie flat in bed to cough and deep breathe."
Lying flat is not the optimal position for deep breathing and coughing exercises, as it can make it more difficult to fully expand the lungs. The client should be positioned with the head of the bed elevated or sitting up to facilitate better lung expansion and more effective coughing.

(A) Meloxicam 5 mg PO once daily: Meloxicam is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to relieve pain and inflammation. It does not typically affect potassium levels.

(B) Acyclovir 400 mg PO twice daily: Acyclovir is an antiviral medication used to treat viral infections such as herpes simplex and varicella-zoster. It does not typically affect potassium levels.

(c) Furosemide 80 mg PO daily: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that promotes diuresis by inhibiting the reabsorption of sodium and chloride in the ascending loop of Henle and distal renal tubule. This can lead to increased excretion of potassium in the urine, potentially causing hypokalemia.

(D) Cimetidine 300 mg PO four times per day: Cimetidine is a histamine H2 receptor antagonist used to treat and prevent certain types of ulcer, and to treat conditions that cause the stomach to produce too much acid. It does not typically affect potassium levels.