Introduction: Due to the increasing number of breast cancer patients, the number of breast reconstruction patients is also increasing. This procedure is an integral part of the treatment of breast cancer. One of the activities of nurses in caring for women after breast reconstruction is to prepare patients for discharge, which should include also activities of dressing. Purpose: It was introduced the preparation of patients for discharge after breast surgery. The focus is on the basic activity – dressing and undressing, which is a major barrier to carry out patients' daily activities in the home environment. Patients have problems with this basic activity as the movement of arms is limited. The focus is on the specific instructions and the health education as part of the preparation for the discharge regarding activity dressing and undressing. Methods: A focused ethnographic approach to research was used. The research was carried out in the clinical department. Results: Compression clothes used by patients after breast reconstruction are presented. All instructions for patients after discharge regarding using clothes and dressing are summarised. In the activities of dressing and undressing the nurse should teach the patient the right dressing and dressing techniques, select suitable clothing and how to maintain the elastic clothing properly. It also gives the patient emotional support. Discussion and conclusion: After the operation, patients must wear compression clothing and follow the instructions. To provide professional and comprehensive treatment, nurses need special knowledge in the field of plastic reconstruction, oncology, education and communication. Nurses also educate the patient on the correct techniques of putting on and off compression clothing according to the limitations that occur after breast reconstruction. Prior to discharge, written information in the form of a leaflet and a discharge nursing documentation should support oral information. Nowadays medical instructions in discharge documentation regarding dressing and wearing compressing clothing are short, generalized; nurses provide just oral instructions. Some suggestions for updating oral and written nursing instructions are made. In the future, it would be useful to add discharge instructions both in paper brochures as well as in electronic, video and mobile formats to be created.
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