Perioperative Nursing Care Practice Test 2026 - Free Perioperative Nursing Practice Questions and Study Guide

The prioritized nursing intervention for a patient at risk of developing pneumonia postoperatively involves encouraging frequent coughing and deep breathing exercises. This intervention is critical as it helps to expand the lungs, promote airflow, and facilitate the clearing of secretions that can accumulate after surgery, particularly because anesthesia and immobility can significantly reduce lung capacity and efficiency.

Deep breathing exercises increase lung volume and prevent atelectasis, which is the collapse of part of the lung, a precursor to pneumonia. Coughing helps in mobilizing and expelling any secretions that may obstruct the airways, thus reducing the risk of infection. This strategy is particularly important in the postoperative period when patients may have reduced respiratory effort due to pain or sedative effects.

In contrast, limiting fluid intake can contribute to dehydration and thicker secretions, ultimately increasing the risk of pneumonia rather than reducing it. Instructing the patient to remain still can lead to decreased lung expansion and further complicate respiratory function, while administering analgesics only, without encouraging movement and respiratory exercises, may not adequately address the risk of pneumonia. Thus, emphasizing respiratory interventions is crucial for promoting recovery and preventing complications such as pneumonia after surgery.