The healthcare provider is evaluating effectiveness of discharge teaching for a male patient following an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair. Which of these statements made by the patient indicates the teaching has been successful?

Male patients often experience erectile dysfunction after AAA repair due to decreased blood flow to the pelvic area during surgery. Also, the expanding abdominal aorta can compress and damage the nerves and blood vessels of the penis. Patients are taught to palpate pulses below the level of the repair, not at the radial pulse. The strength and quality of the pulse is more important than the rate. Exercise is slowly increased; the surgeon will advise the patient about activity. Avoiding communicable infections can be discussed, but is not the priority of discharge teaching.