Question

Why are post-operative patients (patients who just had surgery) at risk for atelectasis and/or pneumonia (PNA)? What nursing interventions can help prevent these complications?

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Answer 1

1Adequate ventillation is potentially compromised during all phases of surgical treatment..Monotonous,low tidal breath pattern,secretion retention ,airway obstruction ,impaired coughing pose a risk factor for developing Atelectasis.

2 One goal of preoperative nursing care is to teach the patienthow to promote optimal lung expansion and consequent blood oxygenation after anaesthesia.Patient assumes a sitting position to enhance lu ng expansion.The nurse then demonstrates how to take a deep,slow breath and how to exhale slowly.After practicing deep breathing several times,the patient is instructed to deep breathly ,exhale through the mouth,take a short breath and cough from deep in the lungs.Patients are taught breathing excercises and the use of an incentive spirometer if indicated.The goal in promoting coughing is to mobilize secretions so that they can be removed .Deep breathing before coughing stimulates the cough reflex.if the patient does not cough effectively atelectasis ,pneumonia or other ung complications may occur.