A nurse teaches a patient about atelectasis. Which statement by the patient indicates an understanding of atelectasis?
A) "Atelectasis affects only those with chronic conditions such as emphysema."
B) "It is important to do breathing exercises every hour to prevent atelectasis."
C) "If I develop atelectasis, I will need a chest tube to drain excess fluid."
D) "Hyperventilation will open up my alveoli, preventing atelectasis."

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Atelectasis develops when alveoli do not expand. Breathing exercises, especially deep breathing and incentive spirometry, increase lung volume and open the airways, preventing atelectasis. Deep breathing also opens the pores of Kohn between alveoli to allow sharing of oxygen between alveoli. Atelectasis can affect anyone who does not deep breathe. A chest tube is for pneumothorax or hemothorax. It is deep breathing, not hyperventilation, that prevents atelectasis.

A Nurse Teaches a Patient About Atelectasis