Discharge teaching regarding care of incision & graft sites should include which instruction?

• A. Inspect incisions daily for redness, swelling, or drainage
• B. Do not touch incisions or perform range of motion
• C. Wash incisions with soap and water daily
• D. Leave incisions completely covered at all times

Answer: (A)

After CABG, the most important point in discharge teaching about incision and graft sites is learning to spot problems early. Inspecting the incisions daily for redness, swelling, or drainage helps you detect infection or graft-site issues as soon as they begin, so you can seek prompt care and prevent complications. You should handle the area with clean hands, keep the skin around the incision clean and dry, and report any fever, increasing pain, warmth, or new drainage to your healthcare team right away. While some gentle cleaning may be appropriate and movement is encouraged for recovery, completely avoiding touching the area or keeping it covered all the time isn’t the goal, and relying on daily cleansing alone isn’t as protective as vigilant, daily visual checks for signs of trouble.