The nurse is providing care to a client having surgery to repair a retinal detachment to the left eye. Which intervention should the nurse implement during the postoperative period?

After retinal detachment surgery, it is crucial to protect the eye and the surgical repair site from accidental trauma or pressure. Providing an eye shield helps to shield the eye during sleep when the client may not have conscious control over their movements. This can help prevent inadvertent rubbing or bumping of the eye, which could potentially disrupt the surgical repair and hinder the healing process. Obtaining vital signs every 2 hours during hospitalization is a routine nursing intervention for postoperative care in general but is not specific to retinal detachment surgery. The frequency of vital sign monitoring may vary depending on the client's overall condition and the healthcare provider's orders. Teaching a family member to administer eye drops may be necessary for the client's ongoing care, but it is not specifically related to the immediate postoperative period. Eye drop administration instructions can be provided as part of the client's discharge teaching. Encouraging deep breathing and coughing exercises is a general postoperative intervention that promotes respiratory function and helps prevent complications such as pneumonia. While important for overall postoperative care, it is not specific to retinal detachment surgery.