A 60-year-old female patient with a diagnosis of bilateral lower lobe pneumonia is brought to the emergency department.An assessment reveals a temperature of 38.5° C (101.3° F),a respiratory rate of 35 breaths/min,a pulse of 115 beats/min,and decreased breath sounds in both lower lobes; furthermore,she is not alert.What type of therapy should the respiratory therapist suggest?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The patient's ability to ventilate and cough effectively is compromised because she is not alert.Because of this,incentive spirometry,deep-breathing exercises,and positive expiratory pressure are not appropriate therapies.Intermittent positive-pressure breathing is appropriate because she is not alert.

A 60-Year-Old Female Patient with a Diagnosis of Bilateral Lower