to treat or not to treat

This blog reflects on my cardio placement in a gen surg ward. I received a referral from an intern requesting chest physio for a patient (78 y.o female) who has 'moist cough' and her sats dropped to 95%RA(non smoker) over the weekend. After going through patients notes, she is admitted for a bladder washout and possibly going for surgery in a couple of days. She has always had a moist cough although non productive and it is normal for her to be having these coughs. She is independently ambulating with her 4WW and has been out for walks with her daughter while admitted. On auscultation, she has good BS throughout nil added. There was pretty much no indication for Rx from Pt point of view as she is able to clear her own airways and mobilising. I documented that in the notes as per requested by my supervisor. The following day, i had the same request from the intern. I consulted my supervisor and she said just keep an eye on the patient and monitor her. So I did that and document every session (objective and subjective Ax) i had with the patient despite no intervention given and no further chest PT was requested. I guess what i could have done as well is to explain to the intern that Chest PT is not indicated in this non surgical (not yet) patient who is mobilising, clearing her own secretions and have obs thats WNL. I guess we can all learn from this experience that i had.