A nurse is caring for a client who delivered a newborn by cesarean birth 1 day ago. The client requests nonpharmacological interventions to manage pain when changing positions. Which of the following responses should the nurse make?
Explanation & Rationale
Choice A reason: Counterpressure helps back labor pain, not cesarean incision pain. It targets muscle tension, not surgical site discomfort, which stems from tissue trauma. For a day-old cesarean, this misaligns with pain source, lacking scientific support for reducing abdominal strain during position changes post-surgery.Choice B reason: Limiting position changes reduces mobility, risking complications like thrombosis or stiffness post-cesarean. Movement aids recovery, and pain management should facilitate, not hinder, it. This advice contradicts evidence-based practice promoting early ambulation, making it an ineffective and potentially harmful nonpharmacological strategy.Choice C reason: Splinting the incision with a pillow supports the abdominal wall, reducing strain on sutures during movement. This decreases pain from muscle stretching post-cesarean, aligning with scientific principles of mechanical support, making it an effective, evidence-based nonpharmacological method to manage discomfort safely.Choice D reason: Patterned breathing aids labor or anxiety, not surgical pain. It distracts from discomfort but does not address physical strain on the cesarean incision during position changes. Lacking direct mechanical relief, it’s less effective scientifically compared to splinting for this specific postoperative pain context.