Hello, and welcome to the University Health Network.
Today I’m going to be teaching you about deep breathing and coughing.
Amanda: Hello Mr. Santos.
How are you today?
Mr: Santos: Pretty well, thanks.
Amanda: Good.
My name is Amanda and I am a physiotherapist on the unit and today I am going to be teaching
you about your deep breathing and coughing exercises, which are very important to do
after your surgery to keep your lungs clear.
Mr: Santos: Ok.
What do I have to do?
Amanda: We'll start by having you sit up nice and straight.
Good.
Now what I’d like you to do is take a deep breath in through your nose and out through
pursed lips, like this.
You try.
Mr: Santos: Ok.
Here goes.
(breathes)
Amanda: OK.
That was a good start.
I’d like you to try to breathe more deeply this time.
So, as you take a breath in, I'd like your ribs to expand sideways as your lungs fill
up with air.
Mr. Santos: Ok.
(breathes) Amanda: Very good!
Let's try that two more times.
Mr. Santos: (breathes) Amanda: Excellent.
Now when you take a deep breath in, I'd like you to hold it for a count of 3, and then
slowly exhale.
Something like this: (demonstrates).
You try.
Mr. Santos: Ok.
(breathes) Amanda: Very good (counts).
Now, in addition to your deep breathing, it’s important that you are coughing regularly
as well.
What I am going to suggest is that you hold a pillow against your incision, which will
provide a little support and alleviate some of the discomfort that might be associated
with coughing.
And, then again, I'd like you to take a deep breath through your nose and cough twice,
like this (demonstrates)
Mr: Santos: Ok.
Let’s try that.
(breathes and coughs)
Amanda: Good.
How was your pain when you did that?
Mr: Santos: Actually, it hurt a little bit.
Amanda: Did it?
It’s bound to hurt somewhat.
But, if you’re finding the pain is too great, such that you’re not wanting to cough, it’s
important that you let your nurse or doctor know and they can give you some pain medication
before you do your coughing exercises.
Mr: Santos: Ok.
Is it important to do these things?
Amanda: It is extremely important to do them after your surgery, and in addition to that,
they should be done regularly.
So, what I’ll suggest is that you do your coughing and breathing exercises 3 to 5 times
every hour that you are awake.
Mr: Santos: Alright, and, should I do them at home?
Amanda: Absolutely.
After you’re discharged home, it’s a good idea to do these exercises for the first two
weeks, for the same reasons you were doing them here in hospital.
Do you have any other questions?
Mr: Santos: I can't think of any.
Amanda: Good.
It's very nice meeting you.
Mr: Santos: Thank you.
Amanda: You’re welcome.
Deep breathing and coughing exercises are extremely important for you to do regularly
after your surgery.
They can be done while you’re in bed, in a chair, or while you’re up walking about.
Thank you for watching this video; we hope that you have found it helpful.