One important part of individual nursing care is that that nurses teach and apply breathing exercises, which are vital and increase the patient's quality of life, in the light of their current knowledge and skills. The purpose of this study was therefore to determine the effect of postoperative breathing exercises on pain and anxiety in patients hospitalized in the general surgery clinic and who had undergone laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Introduction: Several methods are employed for overcoming pain and anxiety that are frequently experienced in the postoperative period. This study was planned to determine the effect of a breathing exercise on patient pain and anxiety after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Methods: The sample determined using power analysis in this randomized, controlled, semi-experimental research performed in two hospitals in the west of Turkey between January and November 2019 consisted of 74 individuals (37 experimental and 37 controls). An information form involving descriptive characteristics, a visual analogue scale (VAS), and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI I/II) were used for data collection. Descriptive statistical methods and parametric tests were employed in the data analysis.

Inclusion Criteria

• Hospitalized in the general surgery clinics,
• with histories of laparoscopic cholecystectomy,
• consenting to take part.

Exclusion Criteria:

- Have a psychiatric disorders.