A client is unable to take a deep breath and does not want to get out of bed due to chest tube discomfort. To increase the client's compliance with ambulation and deep breathing, the nurse should:

Choice A reason: Chest tube discomfort can significantly limit deep breathing and ambulation, increasing atelectasis risk. Administering pain medication reduces discomfort, enabling the patient to perform deep breathing exercises and ambulate, which promote lung expansion and prevent complications like pneumonia. Pain control directly enhances compliance with these critical activities. Choice B reason: Educating the patient about lung expansion’s importance may improve understanding but does not address the physical barrier of pain. Pain limits the ability to perform deep breathing and ambulation, making education alone insufficient. Pain management is needed first to enable compliance with these respiratory and mobility interventions. Choice C reason: Arranging rest periods supports patient recovery but does not directly address pain, the primary barrier to deep breathing and ambulation. While rest is important, it does not facilitate the active participation required for lung expansion or mobility, which are critical to prevent respiratory complications in chest tube patients. Choice D reason: Teaching incentive spirometer use promotes lung expansion but is ineffective if pain prevents deep breathing. The chest tube’s discomfort limits the patient’s ability to use the device effectively. Pain management must precede teaching to ensure the patient can perform the necessary respiratory exercises without discomfort hindering compliance.