54-year-old postmenopausal female client visits her primary health care provider with a report of heavy vaginal bleeding for the past 3 weeks.

A 54-year-old postmenopausal female client visits her primary health care provider with a report of heavy vaginal bleeding for the past 3 weeks. At her surgeon’s recommendation, she was scheduled for a laparoscopic hysterectomy this afternoon due to two large uterine leiomyomas (fibroids). During surgery, the surgeon found excessive abdominal adhesions and performed an open abdominal laparotomy and hysterectomy instead of using a laparoscopic approach. The client was admitted to the surgical unit, where the nurse performs a postoperative assessment and health teaching. Which health teaching will the nurse provide the client to help prevent postoperative complications?