Which intervention can help prevent respiratory complications in postoperative patients?

Using spirometry for lung expansion is an essential intervention to prevent respiratory complications in postoperative patients. Incentive spirometry encourages patients to take deep breaths, which expands the lungs and promotes better oxygenation. This practice helps prevent atelectasis, a common postoperative complication where parts of the lung collapse due to shallow breathing or the effects of anesthesia and surgery. By motivating patients to engage in deep breathing, incentive spirometry also aids in mobilizing secretions, which can further enhance lung function and reduce the risk of pneumonia.

In contrast, while encouraging fluid intake is important for overall recovery, it does not directly address lung expansion or respiratory function. Keeping patients supine may be comfortable in some situations, but this position can hinder optimal lung capacity and increase the risk of respiratory complications. Regular administration of bronchodilators may be beneficial for patients with pre-existing respiratory conditions but is not a universal intervention for all postoperative patients; thus, its use is more condition-specific rather than a general preventive measure for surgical patients' respiratory health.