# Atelectasis --- **Atelectasis**, or a **collapsed lung** is when a [[lungs|lung]] for some reason cannot reinflate. Some causes of this can be [[pneumothorax]] or an insufficient production of [[alveoli|pulmonary surfactant]]. Can be very dangerous, up to and including fatal. hypoxemia -> O2 in blood hypoxia -> O2 in cells/tissues reduced ventilation/blockage, which obstructs the passage of air into the alveoli, which causes them to collapse. most often a problem with ventilation like a mucous plug, foreign body, inflammation most commonly acute nurses do a lot to reduce the chance of atelectasis **Diagnosis** chest xray abgs (low PaO2) ## Risk Factors Thee are a lot of risk factors that can lead to atelectasis. Generally - [[pneumonia]] - [[surgery]] - causes alterations in the breathing patterns - immobility - Laying in bed causes it when we're not breathing very deeply (very important reason for using the [[incentive spirometer]]) - msk/neuro disorders - impaired cough mechanism - [[pleural effusion]] - [[pneumothorax]] ## Signs & Symptoms - dyspnea - feeling of impending doom - sputum production - decreased or absent [[lung sounds|breath sounds]] - especially over the area of atelectasis - cough - increased **or** reduced sputum production - decreased SpO2 - respiratory distress - tachycardia - tachypnea - pleural pain - pain when breathing in or out - cyanosis - anxiety ## Treatment *prevention is key* goal: improve ventilation and remove secretions ## nursing interventions encourage *early movilization*/frequent change of position cough, deep breath, splinting IS pain control to encourage acitivity raise head of bed encourage hydration ___