Nursing measures for respiratory tract before lung cancer surgery

Lung cancer patients often experience respiratory complications after surgery, which seriously affect their postoperative recovery. In order to reduce the incidence of pulmonary complications, relevant preoperative respiratory care measures should be taken to ensure the effectiveness of the surgery.

Prevent lung infections

Patients should keep warm, prevent colds, and absolutely refrain from smoking to reduce respiratory secretions. Elderly patients should pay more attention to this because of the degenerative changes in the respiratory system of the elderly, the weakening of the mucus and ciliary transmission system, and the difficulty in smoothly expelling respiratory secretions. Antibiotics can be used appropriately before surgery to prevent postoperative complications.

Respiratory function exercises

1. Deep breathing training: The patient tries to take a slow, deep breath, and then exhale slowly after pausing for 1 to 2 seconds. The best rate is 8 to 12 times per minute, 3 to 4 times per day, and 10 minutes per time.

2. Effective cough training: The patient should take a comfortable position, take 5 to 6 deep breaths first, keep the mouth open at the end of the deep inhalation, and cough continuously for several times to make the phlegm reach the vicinity of the pharynx, and then cough hard to expel the phlegm, avoiding making sounds only in the larynx and ineffective coughing.

Enhanced nutritional support

Lung cancer patients are generally malnourished due to long-term illness, which can cause respiratory muscle fatigue, worsening breathing difficulties, reduced ability to cough and sputum, and decreased immune function, which can easily lead to repeated aggravation of respiratory tract infections. Therefore, it is very important to strengthen nutrition before surgery. Patients can eat more high-protein, easily digestible foods and fresh vegetables and fruits. Those with poor appetite can take digestive aids and nourishing diets.