Description of the learner: The learner was scheduled for an operational procedure.

Now he is post-operative, thus requiring deep breathing and/or

coughing exercises.
Learning need: Deep breathing and coughing exercises.
Learning diagnosis: Knowledge deficit: deep breathing and coughing exercises related to lack of exposure/inability to recall.
Goal: The patient will be able to demonstrate correct deep breathing and coughing exercises.

Objectives
At the end of 10 minutes of
health teaching, the client
will be able to:
1. Identify the purpose of
deep breathing exercises
and coughing exercises.

2. Demonstrate how to do
deep breathing and
coughing exercises.

Learning Content

Breathing deeply:
- Moves air down to the
bottom areas of the
lungs
- Opens air passages
and moves mucus out
so coughing is also
easier
- Boosts circulation by
helping the blood and
oxygen supply reach
the lungs
- Lowers the risk of lung
complications such as
pneumonia
Coughing:
- Help expel secretions
from the lungs
How to perform deep
breathing and coughing
exercises:
1. Get into a comfortable

Teaching
Strategy/Method

Time and Resources

Needed

Method of Evaluation

One-on-one lecture
discussion

3 minutes - Pamphlet

Instant oral feedback.

The client will be able to
identify at least 3/5 purposes
of deep breathing and
coughing exercises.

Demonstration

5 minutes Student nurses

demonstration

Return demonstration.
The client will be able to
demonstrate how to do the
exercises properly.

position (Lying on your back

with knees bent, side-lying,
or in a seated position)
2. Place hands on stomach
3. Take a deep breathe in
through your nose. Continue
until your lungs feel full of
air and your stomach is
pushing against your hands.
4. Slowly blow the air out in
one long exhale through
pursed lips. When you
breathe out, concentrate on
making your stomach sink
in.
Repeat steps 1-4 to
complete 5 breathing cycles
5. Take another deep breath
and hold for 3 seconds. Then
huff out three times. (Huffing
is a short, sharp pant
similar to when trying to
create mist on a glass
window) On the third huff,
cough deeply from the
lungs, not the throat.

3. Identify how often deep

breathing and coughing
exercises should be done

Repeat steps 2, 3, and 5 to

complete 5 coughing
exercises.
These exercises should be
done every hour while
awake until you are able to
freely and normally walk.

One-on-one lecture
discussion

2 minutes - Pamphlet

Instant oral feedback.

The client will be able to
identify how often the
exercises should be done.

References:
Deep breathing and coughing: Preventing lung problems after surgery. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://sunnybrook.ca/content/?page=patcar-prep-cough