ATELECTASIS

Evidence Based Guideline; Atelectasis also known as a collapsed lung refers to total as well as
incomplete disintegration of the whole lung or a lobe of the lung. This happens when the alveoli
become flattened or are fluid filled in this case gaseous exchange will be impaired making the
patient present with labored breathing, cough, tachycardia and cyanosis. It has various
etiologies .Lung collapse is listed as the most common respiratory complications following
surgery. Other respiratory problems such lung tumors, pleural effusion, cystic fibrosis, chest
injuries, pneumonia, pulmonary hypertension and respiratory shutdown ae know to be associated
with atelectasis. The incidence of atelectasis in patient's undergoing general anesthesia is 90%
(Kelly Grott; Shaylika Chauhan; Julie D. Dunlap,2021).

Etiology of Atelectasis. There is a variety of risk factors that place patients at risk of developing
atelectasis.  These risk factors include a positive family history of a cardiac or lung disease.
Malignancies, kidney and liver diseases are also risk factors. Social risk factors such as Old age,
obesity and overweight, use of tobacco also put these patients at great risk. Of developing
atelectasis.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK572133/ .
Classification of Atelectasis. Atelectasis can be classified into two main types, obstructive and
non-obstructive atelectasis. With obstructive atelectasis, there is physical blockage of the airway
while non obstructive atelectasis there is no blockage. Other classifications include postoperative
and rounded atelectasis. https://radiopaedia.org/articles/lung-atelectasis .
How Can a nurse practitioner Diagnose atelectasis? there are various methods a nurse can use
to diagnose atelectasis, a thorough history taking is vital in the diagnosis of atelectasis. In this
case a positive family history, recent surgeries, malignancies and a history of smoking should be
assessed. The main diagnostic tool is performing a focused and systematic physical examination.
A careful focused physical examination of the patient's respiratory status is important for the
planning of care. Attention should be focused to lung sounds for diminished lung sounds or
ATELECTASIS

presence of crackles. Other symptoms such as dyspnea, cough, whether productive should be
documented. Monitoring of vital signs is of importance especially to help track the Pulse and
respiration rate including the SPO2. , Physical examination of the chest;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdkYujPkeqo. Doing and interpreting the chest X-ray,
Computerized tomography scan; helps to better distinguish the type of Atelectasis, pulse
oximetry; Measures the oxygen concentration and thereby inform on the severity of the disease.,
Arterial blood gas tests informs on the acidity and alkalinity of the blood ph., in this case, the ph.
will be acidic pointing more to respiratory acidosis. bronchoscopy; to visualize the chest cavity
and to determine patency of the airway and ultrasound in the chest region to aid in diagnosis and
determine the type or severity of atelectasis. From YouTube. Atelectasis;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvZnmof2dtY :How to Interpret a Chest X-Ray: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcIxL56an3c.
Treatment of atelectasis. Atelectasis can be treated using supportive management and Surgery.
Supportive treatment of atelectasis; this doesn’t not treat the underlying illness but rather helps to
reduce the signs and symptoms the patients presents with.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1269473/citedby/.
Definitive treatment; in this case a surgical procedure is usually perform to correct the
underlying illness hence reversing the disease and its effect. https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=HpZgJyMnzPU . Complications of Atelectasis. Atelectasis is reversible. The following
complications are likely to be anticipated with atelectasis; lung infection such as pneumonia,
edema in the lungs, hypoxemia i.e. low oxygen levels and ultimate respiratory failure.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/atelectasis/symptoms-causes/syc-20369684.
Prevention of atelectasis. This disease is a burden to health and to the economy therefore its
prevention is better that its occurrence. Measures to prevent atelectasis vary widely depending on
its causes and therefore the initial cause should be assessed.

Patient education during discharge.https://www.drugs.com/cg/atelectasis-discharge-care.html .

ATELECTASIS