Questions

Specialties Cardiac

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Specializes in Transitional Nursing.

Hey all! I am a CNA/pre nursing student and I am traveling to my home state to help take care of my Dad after a triple-bypass. I will be arriving the day he is discharged.

What are some things that I can do to help with his recovery? I've taken care of CABG's before, but always multiple weeks post op when they would come for rehab.

I want to make him as comfortable as possible without hindering him. I know he has to do the rocking thing to get up, and pretty much will be in the recliner all week, i think.

Any advise would be great. I haven't had any experience with this kind of surgery.

Specializes in critical care, ER,ICU, CVSURG, CCU.

bless your heart, progressive endurance....is the key, walking is the most effective right now..... clear all trip hazzards, and make sure pets are not underfoot..... he will have lifting constraints of 5+#s....he may truly find the recliner the most comfortable for first week or so. :nurse:

Specializes in Hospice.
bless your heart, progressive endurance....is the key, walking is the most effective right now..... clear all trip hazzards, and make sure pets are not underfoot..... he will have lifting constraints of 5+#s....he may truly find the recliner the most comfortable for first week or so. :nurse:

One thing a lot of people forget is NO DRIVING until you are cleared by the surgeon. I advise patients to sit in the back seat and not the front seat because of the air bag in case of an accident.

Walking is a big thing post op, as well as watching for s/s of CHF such as SOB and edema, watching for s/s of infection at the incision sites. The discharge instructions should go over all of this in detail.

Good for you for helping your dad out.

Specializes in Hospice.

I don't know why I wrapped that in quotes, my fingers are not cooperating with my brain right now. LOL

Incentive Spirometry is so important. If you don't have one, get him to do deep breathing exercises 10 per hour, or when he remembers. Gotta keep those lungs working well to prevent atelectasis.

Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
Hey all! I am a CNA/pre nursing student and I am traveling to my home state to help take care of my Dad after a triple-bypass. I will be arriving the day he is discharged.

What are some things that I can do to help with his recovery? I've taken care of CABG's before, but always multiple weeks post op when they would come for rehab.

I want to make him as comfortable as possible without hindering him. I know he has to do the rocking thing to get up, and pretty much will be in the recliner all week, i think.

Any advise would be great. I haven't had any experience with this kind of surgery.

((HUGS)) I am glad your Dad is coming home. First and foremost....be a daughter!! Second, follow the MD orders to the letter.

I know when my Mom came home. She needed help with personal hygiene especially reaching behind her it HURT. We made sure she didn't over do it yet still moved, that she did her incentive and "pumped her calves" as a local MD used to write which means move her legs and feet to help prevent the blood from stagnating. GOOD hygiene for changing dressings WASH HANDS. We kept sick people AWAY because they are run down and vulnerable.

But most of all hugs and love.

Specializes in critical care, ER,ICU, CVSURG, CCU.

i am sure he will come home with an incentive spirometer, it can not be used enough, also blowing up ballons over and over helps.......... frequently i see a patient be far more sensitive to salt intake for the first two-three weeks post operative, even when there is no CHF........so "no added salt" :nurse:

Specializes in Transitional Nursing.

Thanks y'all. I am hoping he will comply! He said it was much worse than he expected, but got a ton of relief when the chest tubes were removed. I am looking up some heart healthy meals I can make while I am there and some I can freeze for when I leave. He is the chef of the family, so my mom will have her work cut out for her! Again, thank you to everyone for answering me!

Specializes in RETIRED Cath Lab/Cardiology/Radiology.

Keep him comfortable, pain-wise.

People are less inclined to move/walk or use the incentive spirometer when they're hurting.

And sometimes they don't realize they need pain meds but are just uncomfortable or grumpy ;)

There will be days that are better than others, but the trend in general should be "getting better."

All the best healing thoughts and vibes for him!

I think most of the stuff was covered above.

Are his blood sugars still being checked? If so, make sure that is managed well too.

You shouldn't have any dressings to changes as they go home open to air.

He will be able to shower, but the water cannot directly run on the sternum

So like stated in PP- walking, pain control, deep breathing, good nutrition...etc

Specializes in Transitional Nursing.
I think most of the stuff was covered above.

Are his blood sugars still being checked? If so, make sure that is managed well too.

You shouldn't have any dressings to changes as they go home open to air.

He will be able to shower, but the water cannot directly run on the sternum

So like stated in PP- walking, pain control, deep breathing, good nutrition...etc

He has a dressing, and it was changed today by a home health nurse :/

His blood sugars aren't being checked, but I will bring my monitor with me, just so I feel better lol.

He was discharged 4 days post op, much earlier than I had anticipated so my mom is there with him now. I guess he is doing a lot of walking and even helped prep dinner! NOT what I'd expected, lol. I think he is having a hard time because he has now quit smoking, for the first time in 45 years.

Specializes in critical care, ER,ICU, CVSURG, CCU.

is your father a diabetic? if he is not , there is no reason to be checking his sugar. glad he is able to prep etc.....

yes CABG go home 4-5 days post op.......:nurse:

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