Which exercises should a nurse teach to a client on the first postoperative day after a cesarean section?

The most appropriate exercises to teach to a client on the first postoperative day after a cesarean section are leg bends. This exercise can help improve circulation in the legs and reduce the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which is particularly important after surgery. Leg bends, where the patient flexes and extends their knees while lying down, help promote blood flow and mobilize leg muscles without straining the abdominal area.

On the first day after surgery, patients are often encouraged to begin light exercises to prevent complications and to assist in their recovery. Leg bends are gentle enough for a postoperative patient while still providing the necessary movement to start the rehabilitation process effectively.

Although other exercises, like pelvic rocking, foot circles, and shoulder circles, also promote gentle movement and can be beneficial at different points in recovery, they may not be the most suitable for the immediate postoperative period following a cesarean section. Pelvic rocking might engage the abdominal muscles too much, foot circles focus on the feet and could be less directly beneficial for addressing circulatory concerns in the legs immediately post-surgery, and shoulder circles do little to engage the lower body where the risk of DVT is more pronounced. Thus, leg bends are the most targeted and appropriate choice for the specific