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What is Atelectasis
Atelectasis is closure or collapse of alveoli and again and again described in relation to chest x-ray clinical sign and symptoms. It is most common abnormalities found in chest ray which is covered microatelectasis to macroatelectasis. Microatelectasis not delectable in chest x-ray but you can easily seen in CT scan. most common atelectasis is actute atelectasis which found in post operative patient.
Clinical sign and symptoms
Shallow breating
monotous breating pattern
Excess secretions or mucus plugs may also cause obstructino of airflow and result in atelectasis
Dyspnea
cough
Sputum production
respiratory distress
Tachycardia
Tacheypnea
Pleural pain
Central cyanosis
Alveolar collapse(Chronic atelectasis)
Fever
Assessment and Diagnostic Findings
- Increase work breathing and hypoxemia,
Decrease breath sound and crackles
Consolidation in chest x-ray
Pachy infiltrates.
Decrease SpO2 level
Lover that normal partial pressure of arterial oxygen
Sign of infection
How to prevent atelectasis
Educate to patient for frequently turning( 2 hourly) for bed ridden patient, lung expands, early mobilization.
Deep breathing maneuver
Menage secretion and do suction if required
Incentive spirometry
Support to patient for lung expansion which for decrease the potention for airway closure and may generate cough.
Aerosol nebulizer
Chest physiotherapy
Bronscopy
Conclusion
Before treating atelectasis, it is important to understand why atelectasis has occurred. It is necessary to take corrective and preventive action in every disease but before that we have to do root cause analysis. Atelectasis means consolidation then we have to see what is the reason due to which the movement is getting obstructed. If the cause of airway obstruction is cancer, then the cancer obstruction has to be removed first. So, it is necessary to do root cause analysis of every disease.
