A 40-year-old patient was in a motor vehicle accident. Among his injuries and related problems are three broken ribs on the right side, pleural fluid in the right pleural space, and atelectasis of both lungs. What should be done to help with the atelectasis problem?
1) Adequate pain management
2) Mechanical ventilation to stabilize the broken ribs
3) Remove the pleural fluid
4) Selective intubation of the right mainstem bronchus

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Adequate pain management is crucial to allow the patient to take deep breaths and cough effectively, which can help prevent and treat atelectasis by promoting lung expansion. Removing pleural fluid can also improve lung expansion by relieving pressure on the lung, thereby addressing atelectasis.

A 40-Year-Old Patient Was in a Motor Vehicle Accident