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Can Target Volume Breathing Exercises Taught Preoperatively Decrease Postoperative Pulmonary Complications For Cardiac Surgery Patients?, Lea Sol Lopez-Fagin

Theses & Dissertations

Postoperative pulmonary complications and management are recognized as major problems following coronary artery bypass graft and valve repair surgery. Pulmonary complications include hypoxemia, reduction in air volume capacity, atelectasis, fever, tachycardia, tachypnea, and pneumonia. However, little is known about specific therapeutic interventions in nursing related to the amelioration of postoperative pulmonary complications in cardiac surgical patients. The study evaluated the outcomes of preoperative teaching of target volume breathing exercises in the prevention of hypoxemia and reduction of lung volume capacity for coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) and valve repair patients. Thirty-four patients aged 50-77 years undergoing CABG or valve repair …