Page 2549 - Saunders Comprehensive Review For NCLEX-RN

FIG. 69-28 Cardiac pressure waveforms can be visualized on the monitor.

Box 69-16
Home Care Instructions for the Client Who Has

Had Cardiac Surgery

▪ Progressive return to activities at home
▪ Limiting of pushing or pulling activities for 6 weeks following discharge
▪ Maintenance of incisional care and reporting signs of redness, swelling, or
drainage
▪ Sternotomy incision heals in about 6 to 8 weeks
▪ Avoidance of crossing legs; wearing elastic hose as prescribed until edema
subsides, and elevating the surgical limb (if used to obtain the graft) when
sitting in a chair

▪ Use of prescribed medications
▪ Dietary measures, including the avoidance of saturated fats and cholesterol and
the use of salt

▪ Resumption of sexual intercourse on the advice of the health care provider after
exercise tolerance is assessed (usually, if the client can walk 1 block or climb 2
flights of stairs without symptoms, she or he can resume sexual activity safely)

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