A client is being discharged after having a coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) x 5. The client asks questions about the care of chest and leg incisions. Which instructions should the registered nurse include? Select all that apply. A)Report any itching, tingling, or numbness around your incisions B)Report any redness, swelling, warmth, or drainage from your incisions C)Soak incisions in the tub once a week then clean with hydrogen peroxide and apply lotion D)Wash incisions daily with soap and water in the shower and gently pat them dry E)Wear an elastic compression hose on your legs and elevate them while sitting

Question

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Incisions may take 4-6 weeks to heal. The nurse should instruct clients on how to care for their incisions; these instructions are as follows: Wash incisions daily with soap and water in the shower. Gently pat dry (Option D). Itching, tingling, and numbness around the incisions may be present for several weeks due to damage to the local nerves (Option A). Tub baths should be avoided due to risk of introducing infection (Option C). Do not apply powders or lotions on incisions as these trap the bacteria at the incision (Option C). Report any redness, swelling, and increase in drainage or if the incision has opened (Option B). Wear a supportive elastic hose on the legs. Elevate legs when sitting to decrease swelling (Option E). Educational objective: The nurse should instruct the client with chest and leg incisions from CABG to wash them daily with soap and water in the shower. In addition, the client must be instructed not to apply any powders or lotions to the incisions, to report any redness, swelling or increase in drainage, and to wear an elastic compression hose on the legs.

A Client Is Being Discharged After Having a Coronary Artery