Step 1

• Sit on the edge of a bed or a chair. You can also lie on your back with your knees slightly bent.

• Lean forward slightly.

• If you've had surgery on your chest or stomach, hold a pillow or rolled-up towel firmly against your cut (incision) with both hands. Hug the pillow.

• Breathe out normally.

Step 2

• Breathe in slowly and deeply through your nose.

• Then breathe out fully through your mouth. Repeat this breathing in and out a second time.

• For the third time, take a slow, deep breath through your nose. Fill your lungs with as much air as you can.

Step 3

• Cough 2 or 3 times in a row. Try to push all of the air out of your lungs as you cough. Cover your cough, if possible, with a tissue or your elbow.

• If you cough up mucus, spit it into a tissue. Don't swallow it.

• Relax and breathe normally.

• Repeat the above steps as directed.

• Wash your hands with soap and clean, running water for 20 seconds afterward.

Follow-up care

Follow up with your health care provider as advised.

When to contact your doctor

Contact your health care provider right away if you have:

• A fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or as advised by your provider.

• Signs of infection, if you've had surgery. These include redness, swelling, drainage, or warmth at your incision site, or pus or fluid draining from the site.

• Minor bleeding from the surgical site.

• Brownish, yellowish, or bloody sputum (mucus).

• Upset stomach (nausea) or vomiting.

• More pain.

• A fast or irregular heartbeat.

• A new cough.

Call 911

Shortness of breath may be a sign of a serious health problem. Call 911 right away if you have shortness of breath that gets worse or you have trouble breathing, especially with any of the symptoms below:

• Confusion or trouble staying awake

• Loss of consciousness or fainting

• Chest pain or tightness

• Trouble breathing or wheezing

• Skin, lips, or fingernails turn blue

• Coughing up blood

• Severe pain

• Dizziness or weakness

• Severe bleeding or new opening at surgical site