Atelectasis

Question 1

What is atelectasis?

Answer 1

• collapse of part of the lung

- impedes filling, rendering the affected part non-functional

Question 2

What are the three types of atelectasis?

Answer 2

1) obstructive/resorptive atelectasis
2) compression atelectasis
3) contraction atelectasis

Question 3

Explain what happens in obstructive/resorptive atelectasis.

Answer 3

• air way is obstructed
• air is trapped
• air is absorbed into the capillaries
• there is a local collapse
• if it hasn’t been too long, if you remove the obstruction it will re-infate

Question 4

Explain what happens in compression atelectasis.

Answer 4

• external pressure on the lungs (ex. tumor) causes a local collapse
• if pressure is removed, may be able to reinflate

Question 5

Explain what happens in contraction atelectasis.

Answer 5

• scar tissue contracts (to bring the wound margins closer together)
• prevents full expansion

Question 6

What are the manifestations of atelectasis?

Answer 6

• dypsnea
• tachypnea (compensatory mechanism)
• decreased chest expansion depending on extent
• tachycardia (compensatory mechanism)

Question 7

How is atelectasis diagnosed?

Answer 7

• presentation
• chest x-ray
• CT
• bronchoscopy

Question 8

How is atelectasis treated?

Answer 8

treat the underlying cause (tumour? mucus?)