ATELECTASIS

I.C.SILUMESII
4TH YEAR DNS STUDENT
UNZA
 GENERAL OBJECTIVES

 
At the end of the lecture, student should be
able to acquire knowledge on atelectasis.
 
 SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES
 At the end of the discussion/lecture, student
nurses should be able;
• Define Atelectasis.
• Describe Atelectasis.
• Outline the causes and risk factors of
Atelectasis.
• State the symptoms of Atelectasis.
• Outline the diagnosis of Atelectasis.
• Describe the treatment of Atelectasis.
• State the preventive measures of Atelectasis.
• Explain the complications of Atelectasis
 INTRODUCTION
• Atelectasis is an abnormal condition
characterized by the collapse of lung tissue,
preventing the respiratory exchange of carbon
dioxide and oxygen. This condition prevents
normal oxygen absorption to healthy tissues.
 Definition
• Atelectasis is a collapse of lung tissue affecting
part or all of one lung. This condition prevents
normal oxygen absoption to healthy tissues.
 Description
• Atelectasis - a collapsed or airless state of the
lung - may be acute or chronic, and may
involve all or part of the lung.The primary
cause of atelectasis is obstruction of the
bronchus serving the affected area
 Causes

• Obstruction of small or large lung air passages

by:
• Thick mucous plugs from infection or other
disease, including cystic fibrosis.
• Tumors in the air passages.
• Tumors or blood vessels outside the air
passages, causing pressure on airways.
• Inhaled objects, such as small toys or peanuts.
• Prolonged chest or abdominal surgery with
general anesthetic.
• Chest injury or fractured ribs.
• Penetrating wound.
• Enlarged lymph glands.
 Risk increases with
• Illness that has lowered resistance or weakened
the patient.
• Chronic obstructive lung disease, including
emphysema (respiratory disease where there is
over-inflation of the air sacs causing a decrease
in lung capacity and bronchiectasis
(an area of the bronchial tubes is permanently
and abnormally widened )
 
 Signs and Symptoms
Sudden, major collapse:
• Chest pain.
• Shortness of breath; rapid breathing.
• Shock (severe weakness, paleness of skin,
rapid heartbeat).
• Dizziness.
 Gradual collapse:
• Cough.
• Fever.
• Shortness of breath.
• No other symptoms
 INVESTIGATIONS
• Atelectasis is diagnosed by clinical exam, close
monitoring of a post-operative clinical course
• X-ray examination may show a shadow in the
area of collapse. If an entire lobe is collapsed,
the x-ray will show the trachea, heart, and
mediastinum deviated toward the collapsed
area, with the diaphragm elevated on that
side.
• Bronchoscopy may be included in diagnostic
procedures to rule out an obstructing
neoplasm or a foreign body if the cause is
unknown.
 TREATMENT
General measures
• Laboratory studies to measure oxygen and
carbon dioxide in the blood and X-rays of the
chest.
• Surgery to remove tumors.
• Bronchoscopy to remove foreign objects or a
mucous plug.
• Cooperate with requests to turn, cough and
breathe deeply after surgery. Hold a pillow
tightly against surgical incisions during the
coughing exercises.
• Learn to perform postural drainage after
hospitalization. An inhalation therapist, nurse
or doctor can demonstrate the technique
 Medications
• Antibiotics to fight infection that inevitably
accompanies atelectasis.
• Pain relievers for minor pain.
• Don't take sedatives. They may contribute to a
recurrence.
 Activity
• Resume your normal activities as soon as
symptoms improve.
Diet
• No special diet, but drink at least 4 glasses of
water or other fluid daily to thin lung
secretions
 PREVENTIVE MEASURES
• Force coughing and deep breathing every 1 to
2 hours after surgery with general anesthesia.
• Increase fluid intake during lung illness or after
surgery by mouth or intravenously to keep
lung secretions loose.
• Keep small objects that might be inhaled away
from young children (peanuts are notorious).
• Turn and reposition the client every 1–2 hours
while client is bedridden or immobile.
 COMPLICATIONS
• Pneumonia.
• Small lung abscess.
• Permanent lung scars and collapsed lung
tissue
 SUMMARY
• Atelectasis is a collapse of lung tissue affecting
part or all of one lung. This condition prevents
normal oxygen absorption to healthy tissues.
Symptoms depend on how much of the lung is
involved. A person may not even be aware of
atelectasis if only a small part of the lung is
affected.
• But, if a large part of the lung is involved, a
person may have these symptoms
shortness of breath , fatigue with minimal
exertion fever chest pain on the affected side
and cyanosis, which is a blue color in the skin.
• The risk factors include any condition that
inhibits full lung expansion such as immobility
or makes deep breathing painful such as
thoracic surgery and the preventive measures
include deep breathing, aided by the use of
inspiration breathing apparatus following
surgery.
THE END