A 45-year-old Hispanic client is 6 hours postoperative after an abdominal hysterectomy and reports incisional pain rated 6/10, described as aching and tight at the lower abdomen; vital signs are stable and the dressing is clean and dry. The client says she prefers to try nonmedication options first because medication makes her feel "too sleepy." Which nonpharmacologic technique should the nurse implement FIRST?
- Apply a warm pack over the lower abdomen for 20 minutes to relax the incision area and ease muscle spasm
- Assist the client to splint the incision with a pillow and guide slow deep breathing during repositioning (correct answer)
- Teach progressive muscle relaxation for 15 minutes while the client remains supine with knees slightly bent and arms resting at her sides
- Encourage the client to ambulate in the hallway with assistance, using distraction from the pain to promote early mobilization
Explanation: The priority is to reduce pain while keeping the client safe and mobile. Splinting the incision with a pillow and guiding slow deep breathing during repositioning is best because it provides mechanical support, prevents tension on the fresh incision, and encourages lung expansion. A warm pack over a recent abdominal incision is not the first choice because heat can increase local bleeding and inflammation and gives no support. Progressive muscle relaxation might be calming, but it does not protect the incision during movement and it delays needed repositioning and breathing. Hallway ambulation is an important later step, but walking before the incision is supported can make pain worse and make the client reluctant to mobilize. For these reasons, the pillow-splinting and breathing technique is the first intervention.