What action should the nurse take to ensure successful repositioning, ambulation, coughing, and deep breathing in a postoperative patient?

Providing adequate analgesics for pain relief is crucial for postoperative patients because effective pain management directly influences their ability to engage in essential postoperative activities such as repositioning, ambulation, coughing, and deep breathing. When patients experience pain, they are less likely to move or participate in these activities, which can lead to complications such as pneumonia, blood clots, or impaired healing.

Proper analgesia not only helps mitigate pain but also fosters a sense of comfort and safety, encouraging patients to take deeper breaths and move more freely. This active participation is vital for recovery, as it promotes lung expansion, improves circulation, and aids in preventing postoperative complications. Additionally, a pain-free experience facilitates the overall rehabilitation process, enabling patients to regain their mobility and independence more quickly.

While family support, scheduling physical therapy, and limiting activity can be important components of a comprehensive postoperative plan, they do not directly address the immediate need for pain management, which is foundational for successful rehabilitation and recovery.