The nurse is caring for a patient following a bilateral lung transplant. When planning postoperative care of the patient, priority is placed on pulmonary hygiene.
Which statement provides the best explanation for this priority?

a. Immunosuppressant medications reduce the body's ability to fight infections.
b. During the early postoperative period, atelectasis decreases oxygenation.
c. Pulmonary hygiene reduces the risk of early primary graft dysfunction.
d. Loss of cough reflex results in decreased ability to remove secretions effectively.