What aspect is involved in nursing care before a patient undergoes surgery?

In the context of nursing care prior to surgery, instructing patients on deep breathing exercises is vital. These exercises help to enhance lung function and can prevent respiratory complications that may arise after surgery. Teaching deep breathing techniques addresses the importance of effective pulmonary hygiene, which is crucial, particularly for patients who will be under anesthesia. By learning to take deep, slow breaths, patients are better equipped to expand their lungs, clear secretions, and improve oxygenation postoperatively.

While monitoring vital signs is an essential part of patient care, it typically occurs in the intraoperative and postoperative phases rather than in the preparatory phase. Instructing on diet restrictions is also important, but it generally pertains to guidelines on food and fluid intake leading up to the surgery. Preparing discharge planning, although necessary, is primarily focused on what will happen after the surgery and is not part of preoperative nursing care. Therefore, focusing on deep breathing exercises aligns directly with the proactive care necessary to prepare the patient for a successful surgical outcome.