A Patient Is Recovering from Abdominal Surgery

question 29

Multiple Choice

A patient is recovering from abdominal surgery. You are assisting the person with deep-breathing and coughing exercises. Which will promote the person's comfort during coughing?

• A) Placing a pillow on the table
• B) Holding a pillow over the person's incision
• C) Positioning the person supine
• D) Having the person take shallow breaths

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Definitions:

Dorsal Ramus

A branch of a spinal nerve that innervates muscles and skin of the back.

Peripheral Nerves

Nerves located outside the brain and spinal cord, responsible for relaying information between the central nervous system and the rest of the body.

Stretch Reflex

An involuntary muscle contraction response to the stretching within the muscle, protecting the muscle from over-stretching and maintaining muscle tone.

Crossed-Extensor Reflex

A reflex action in which an extensor muscle in one limb is activated in response to a painful stimulus in another limb, facilitating balance and postural adjustment.