To prevent postoperative complications, which practice should be emphasized in patient education preoperatively?

Emphasizing the importance of deep breathing exercises in preoperative patient education is essential for preventing postoperative complications, particularly respiratory issues. After surgery, patients may have reduced mobility and lung capacity due to anesthesia and surgical pain. Deep breathing exercises help expand lung capacity, promote effective gas exchange, and reduce the risk of atelectasis, which is the partial or complete collapse of the lung. Teaching patients how to properly perform these exercises helps prepare them for their recovery phase, encouraging them to maintain lung function and reduce the chance of developing respiratory infections.

While other practices such as fast recovery techniques, physical activity limitations, and pain management are also relevant to postoperative care, deep breathing exercises directly address a critical aspect of postoperative recovery related to lung health and overall respiratory function, making it a priority during patient education.