After the recovery room, patients usually stay on the surgical floor. If we judge that a higher level of observation is needed, you may be cared for in the Intensive Care Unit, or ICU. Here you will receive special monitoring and will have a nurse watching over your breathing and vital signs closely. We continuously monitor your oxygen levels and your pulse rate on a special screen.
The nurses will repeatedly remind you to deep breathe, cough and use the Incentive Spirometer. It is very important that you begin doing this immediately to prevent any collapse of your lungs, which could lead to pneumonia. You will also be asked to move about in bed frequently.
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