MedSurg RLE | NCM 71.

Ms. Jane Panchacala | August 31, 2022

CONTENTS V. MANAGEMENT
I. Introduction • frequent turning
II. Signs and Symptoms • early ambulation
III. Predisposing and Precipitating Factors • lung volume expansion maneuvers (e.g., deep-
IV. Assessment and Diagnostic Tests breathing exercises and incentive spirometry)
V. Management • coughing
VI. Prevention • Multidisciplinary, evidence-based standardized
intervention programs, such as ICOUGH
VII. Prognosis
o Incentive spirometry
o Coughing and deep breathing
I. INTRODUCTION o Oral care (brushing teeth and using
• ATELECTASIS mouthwash twice a day)
o refers to closure or collapse alveoli and often is o Understanding (patient and staff education)
describe in relation to the chest x-ray findings o Getting out of bed at least three times daily
and/or clinical signs and symptoms. o Head-of-bed elevation
o May occur in adults as result of reduced
ventilation (nonobstructive atelectasis) or any VI. PREVENTION
blockage that obstructs passage of air to and • Change patient's position frequently, especially from
from the alveoli (obstructive atelectasis), thus supine to upright position
reducing aleveolar ventilation (Stark, 2015) • Encourage early mobilization from bed to chair
o As a result, the affected portion the lung followed by early ambulation.
becomes airless and the alveoli colapses.
• Encourage appropriate deep breathing and coughing
• In United States, incidence of atelectasis is reported to • Educate/reinforce appropriate technique for incentive
occur in 8% to 15% of children during mechanical spirometry.
ventilation.
• Administer prescribed opioids and sedatives judiciously
• Perform postural drainage and chest percussion, if
II. SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS indicated.
➢ increasing dyspnea, cough, and sputum production
• Institute suctioning to remove tracheobronchial
➢ tachycardia
secretions, if indicated.
➢ tachypnea
➢ pleural pain
➢ central cyanosis VII. PROGNOSIS
➢ pulmonary infection • Once the cause of the atelectasis is treated, most
people recover quickly and have no serious lasting
III. PREDISPOSING AND PRECIPITATING FACTORS effects.
• PREDISPOSING FACTORS • If atelectasis is left undiagnosed or untreated, serious
o older age complications can develop. These can be potentially
o any conditions that makes it difficult to swallow fatal, including but not limited to: fluid buildup in the
lung, pleural space, or chest. respiratory infections
o cofinement in bed with infrequent changes of
such as pneumonia.
position
o lung disease
o recent abdominal or chest surgery
o recent general anesthesia
• PRECIPITATING FACTORS
o smoking
o sleep apnea
o pain
o nasogatric tube
o intubation
o immobility
o comorbidity
o ↑ duration of anesthesia
o ↓ level of consciousness

IV. ASSESSMENT & DIAGNOSTIC TESTS

➢ Auscultation over the affected area
➢ Chest x-ray
➢ Measure oxygen saturation (pulse oximeter)

Prepared by: GWYN OONA FLORENCE L. FORRO | 1