What intervention will be most helpful for preventing complications after bariatric surgery?

• A. IPPB with 3.0 mL normal saline every 4 hours
• B. Incentive spirometry every hour
• C. Ambulation twice a day
• D. Small volume nebulizer therapy with Albuterol every 4 hours

Answer: (B)

Incentive spirometry every hour is a crucial intervention following bariatric surgery, as it empowers patients to perform deep breathing exercises, which significantly aids in preventing respiratory complications. After surgery, patients are often at risk for atelectasis due to reduced mobility and shallow breathing patterns. The use of an incentive spirometer encourages patients to take deep breaths, thereby increasing lung expansion, facilitating better gas exchange, and improving overall pulmonary function. Regular use can stimulate coughing to clear any potential secretions, further aiding in respiratory health.

While the other options may offer benefits in specific contexts, they do not address the respiratory concerns post-surgery as effectively as incentive spirometry. For example, IPPB with normal saline and small volume nebulizer therapy primarily target airway management but are not as focused on promoting deep breathing. Ambulation, while important for overall recovery and prevention of complications like deep vein thrombosis, does not directly facilitate lung expansion in the same manner. Therefore, the use of incentive spirometry emerges as the most effective strategy for addressing the immediate respiratory needs of patients after bariatric surgery.