Patient education: Deep breathing and coughing after surgery (The Basics)

Why are deep breathing and coughing important after surgery? — Taking deep breaths (or "deep breathing") and coughing helps clear mucus from your lungs. It also helps keep your lungs open and lowers the risk of lung infections.

Your doctor or nurse might want you to do these things if you:

●Just had surgery, especially in the chest or belly area

●Are on bed rest

●Have a lung infection, like pneumonia

●Have a broken rib

●Have COPD, cystic fibrosis, asthma, or another chronic lung condition

Getting up and out of bed is also important if you are able. Being out of bed can help you take deeper breaths. Using an "incentive spirometer" can also help. This is a handheld device that helps you take slow deep breaths.

How should I take deep breaths and cough after surgery? — For these things to work well, it's important to follow specific steps.

Your doctor or nurse will tell you how often to take deep breaths and cough. They might suggest that you try taking 5 to 10 deep breaths, followed by a cough, every 2 hours while you are awake. If you can, sit up straight in a chair or on the edge of a bed when you do this.

Deep breathing after surgery:

●Breathe normally.

●Next, breathe in deeply through your nose.

●Pucker or purse your lips, and breathe out slowly through your mouth.

●Rest for a few seconds, and breathe normally. Then, repeat the above steps 10 times or as many times as your doctor or nurse tells you to.

●After doing the deep breathing, follow with coughing to clear your lungs.

Coughing after surgery:

●Breathe normally.

●Next, breathe in deeply through your nose.

●Breathe out through your mouth. Take another big breath in through your nose, and breathe out through your mouth.

●Take a deep breath. Fill your lungs with air as much as you can.

●Cough 2 or 3 times in a row.

●Push all of the air out of your lungs as you cough.

●Rest for a few seconds, and breathe normally. Then, repeat the above steps 3 times or as many times as your doctor or nurse tells you to.

What else can I do?

●Use gentle, firm pressure to support your incision (where your skin was cut during surgery). Hold a pillow or rolled-up towel against your incision. You can also tighten your stomach muscles if you had surgery on your belly. Do this each time you take deep breaths or cough.

●Take your pain medicines as needed to make coughing and deep breathing more comfortable.

●Lean forward slightly when you cough. This might make it easier to cough up mucus.

●If you are not able to get out of bed, try to raise the head of your bed as much as possible.

When should I call the doctor? — Call for advice if:

●You have a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher.

●You cough up more mucus, or the mucus you cough up is a different color or has blood in it.

●You feel short of breath or cannot catch your breath.

●Your incision opens up.

More on this topic

Patient education: How to use an incentive spirometer (The Basics)
Patient education: Pneumonia in adults (The Basics)
Patient education: Pneumonia in children (The Basics)
Patient education: Rib fractures in adults (The Basics)
Patient education: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (The Basics)
Patient education: Cystic fibrosis (The Basics)
Patient education: Asthma in adults (The Basics)
Patient education: Asthma in children (The Basics)
Patient education: Bronchiectasis in adults (The Basics)
Patient education: Bronchiectasis in children (The Basics)
Patient education: Interstitial lung disease (The Basics)
Patient education: Breathing exercises (The Basics)

Patient education: Pneumonia in adults (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Asthma treatment in adolescents and adults (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Asthma treatment in children (Beyond the Basics)