How often should coughing be repeated for a patient with an incision?

Coughing plays an essential role in maintaining airway patency and effective gas exchange, particularly for patients with incisions who may be at risk for respiratory complications such as pneumonia. For these patients, it is recommended to encourage coughing every 1-2 hours. This frequency allows for the effective clearance of secretions from the lungs, helping to prevent atelectasis and enhance overall respiratory function.

Counseling patients to cough at this interval strikes a balance between providing adequate lung expansion and managing discomfort associated with the incision. Coughing too frequently can lead to increased pain and strain on the surgical site, while insufficient coughing could increase the risk of respiratory complications. Therefore, every 1-2 hours is the optimal recommendation for cough exercises to ensure that the lungs remain clear and functional without compromising the patient's recovery process.