The nurse is providing discharge instructions to a patient that underwent a mastectomy and axillary lymph node dissection. Which of the following statements by the nurse is appropriate?

Explanation

•It is correct to tell the patient to wear protective gloves while doing the dishes and when cleaning in order to prevent altered skin integrity and infection.

•After axillary node dissection and mastectomy, the affected arm of the patient may swell and have a reduced ability to fight infection. The nurse must focus on the issue of maintaining skin integrity and preventing infection even after the patient is discharged.

•To prevent complications the patient must know the following self-care measures: use insect repellant to avoid bites and stings, never pick at or cut cuticles, applying lanolin hand cream a few times everyday, and wear gloves while dishwashing and cleaning.

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