The nurse is encouraging a reluctant postoperative patient to deep breathe and cough. Which explanation can the nurse provide that may encourage the patient to comply?

A) "If you don't deep breathe and cough, you will get pneumonia."
B) "You will need to cough only a few times during this shift."
C) "Let's try clearing the throat because that will work just as well."
D) "Deep breathing and coughing will clear out the anesthesia."

Deep breathing and coughing expel retained anesthetic gases and facilitate a patient's return to consciousness. Although it is correct that a patient may experience atelectasis and pneumonia if deep breathing and coughing are not performed, the way this is worded sounds threatening and could be communicated in a more therapeutic manner. Deep breathing and coughing are encouraged every 2 hours while the patient is awake. Just clearing the throat does not remove mucus from deeper airways.