A 20-year-old patient is being treated for pneumonia. He has a persistent cough and complains of severe pain on coughing. What could you tell him to help him reduce his discomfort?
A. “Hold your cough as much as possible.”
B. “Place the head of your bed flat to help with coughing.”
C. “Restrict fluids to help decrease the amount of sputum.”
D. “Splint your chest wall with a pillow for comfort.”
Correct Answer: D. “Splint your chest wall with a pillow for comfort.”
Showing this patient how to splint his chest wall will help decrease discomfort when coughing.
Option A: Holding in his coughs will only increase his pain.
Option B: Placing the head of the bed flat may increase the frequency of his cough and his work of breathing.
Option C: Increasing fluid intake will help thin the secretions, making it easier for him to clear them.