Training your lung muscles before and after surgery can reduce your risk of getting a lung infection (pneumonia) by 50 per cent. Show
It can also reduce your risk of other complications, including:
About aCOUGHTo remind you of simple but effective tasks you can do before and after surgery to reduce your risk of complications, just think aCOUGH (a word formed from the first letters of the following phrases): Active deep breathing Doing deep breathing exercises once every hour you are awake helps keep your lungs healthy. When doing these exercises, be as upright as possible, sitting up in bed or on a chair. Follow the steps below. Before surgery, do these exercises twice a day. After surgery, do them once every hour you are awake.
Cough After your deep breathing exercises, take a big cough to help keep your lungs clear. To support you as you cough, press gently across your surgical wound with a rolled-up towel, pillow or your hands. Oral care Brushing your teeth and using mouthwash twice daily helps keep your mouth free from germs. Ask your treating team for help if needed. Understand your surgery and recovery It is important you and your family take an active role in your recovery from surgery. Talk with your treating team about what you can do to help. Get out of bed Being upright and out of bed is the best position to re-expand your lungs again after surgery. Sit out of bed in a chair and walk three times every day after your surgery. Ask your physiotherapist or nurse for help to get started. This also helps with pain management and improves your circulation, muscle strength and mental health. Head of bed elevated Elevating (raising) the head of your bed to at least of 30 to 45 degrees helps keep your lungs expanded and reduces your risk of breathing complications. Ask you nurse if you are not sure if your head is high enough. When to do aCOUGHBefore your surgeryDo your deep breathing and coughing exercises twice every day before your surgery to help strengthen your lungs and breathing muscles. As you will need to do these exercises as soon as you wake after surgery, it makes sense to learn how to do them now. After your surgeryFrom the moment you wake up from your surgery, it is important to complete the active cycle of breathing exercises every hour you are awake. Complete the other aCOUGH steps as advised above. Watch the aCough videoIf you have printed this information and can't see the video, please view it at FSH.health.wa.gov.au/aCOUGH More informationContact the LifeFit-SurgFit physiotherapist on 6152 8862 between 9am and 3pm, Monday to Friday. Be LifeFit-SurgFitLearn more about how preparing your body and your mind before surgery through LifeFit-SurgFit can set you up for the best outcome and a quicker recovery. Discover Topics Learning Hubs Online Courses Video Lectures Articles Explainers Content Partners
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What is this article about?Hospitalised patients with respiratory conditions, particularly those who have undergone chest or abdominal surgery, should perform breathing and coughing exercises in order to prevent further issues and complications (Allina Health 2015).  Learning you'll loveAn Ausmed Subscription will unlock access to 1,000+ learning resources. High quality education helps you provide high quality care. ContentsTest Your Knowledge
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Meet the educatorAusmed Editorial Team Ausmed’s editorial team is committed to providing high-quality, well-researched and reputable education to our users, free of any commercial bias or conflict of interest. All education produced by Ausmed is developed in consultation with healthcare professionals and undergoes a regular rigorous review process to ensure the relevancy of all healthcare information and updates to changes in practice. If you have identified an issue with the education offered by Ausmed or wish to submit feedback to Ausmed's editorial team, please email with your concerns. View Profile Here's some further inspirationPractice AreasAusmed PremiumTo access this resource, sign up for Ausmed Premium. With Premium, you’ll have unlimited access to everything you need to take your education and care to the next level. There are so many different subjects on Ausmed! I thought it'd be hard to find the resources I need for complicated procedures or rarer conditions, but they've had everything I've looked for so far. - Jacob, Enrolled Nurse Why is coughing and deep breathing important after surgery?It's important to practice deep breathing and coughing after surgery. These exercises will help your breathing, clear your lungs, and lower your risk of pneumonia. Breathe deeply and cough every hour while you're awake for the first 2 to 3 days after minor surgery.
Why are deep breathing exercises performed?If practiced regularly, breathing exercises can help rid the lungs of accumulated stale air, increase oxygen levels and get the diaphragm to return to its job of helping you breathe.
Why must patients be forced to cough after chest surgery?Coughing after surgery helps prevent pneumonia by encouraging deep breathing. It keeps the lungs expanded and clears any secretion that may have accumulated as a result of mechanical ventilation, intubation, or anesthesia.
Is deep breathing helpful for relaxation after surgery?This helps with some of the discomfort. Take a few normal breaths, then take a slow, deep breath in. Hold your breath for about 2 to 5 seconds. Gently and slowly breathe out through your mouth.
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Why are coughing and deep breathing exercises perform after a patient has surgery?
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