A physician orders postural drainage for a patient with an abscess in the right middle lobe. Which of the following positions would you recommend for this patient?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Postural drainage is used to drain secretions from a specific area of lung. In this case, the abscess is located in the right middle lobe, so the patient should be positioned with the right lung up. The half-rotation to the left helps to promote drainage from the right middle lobe. Options A and B are incorrect because they place the abscess in a dependent position, which can lead to increased inflammation and difficulty draining. Option C may be appropriate for general postural drainage but is not optimal for targeting the right middle lobe specifically.

A Physician Orders Postural Drainage for a Patient with an Abscess