The Pulmonary System: Atelectasis

Question 1

Atelectasis refers to

Answer 1

incomplete expansion of the lungs in infants (neonatal atelectasis) or to the collapse of a previously inflated lung in children or adults (acquired atelectasis)

Question 2

Four causes/ classifications of atelectasis

Answer 2

• reabsorption atelectasis
• alveolar collapse atelectasis
• compressive atelectasis
• contraction atelectasis

Question 3

Risk factors for alveolar collapse atelectasis

Answer 3

anesthesia, prolonged bed rest or shallow breathing, premature birth

Question 4

can be caused by obstruction by a _____, ___ or ___. (Obstuction atelectasis)

Answer 4

foreign object, mucus, or tumor

Question 5

Contraction atelectasis is caused by ____-

Answer 5

inflammatory lung diseases

Question 6

Compressive atelectasis is caused by:

Answer 6

fluid or gas in the pleural space

Question 7

Symptoms of Atelectasis:

Complications:

Answer 7

shortness of breath, chest pain, cough, low-grade fever

Complications: Pneumonia

Question 8

Evaluation for atelectasis

Answer 8

History and physical examination, CRX, CT, etc.

Question 9

Reabsorption (obstruction) atelectasis happens when:

Answer 9

there is complete obstruction results in reabsorption of oxygen in lobe/whole lung while maintaining negative intrapleural pressure;
lung volume decreases and trachea deviates towards the affected lung;

Question 10

Reabsorption Atelectasis is reversible by____

Answer 10

removing obstruction and reinflating

Question 11

In an Xray, atelectic lung tissues is ____ because of increased ______ caused by loss of air. The trachea is deviated toward the affected lung

Answer 11

white, tissue density

Question 12

Alveolar atelectasis occurs when there is insufficient ___

Answer 12

surfactant

Question 13

surfactant lowers surface tension within alveoli, keeping them inflated, so ____________ results in collapse

Answer 13

insufficient surfactant

Question 14

Inadequate ventilation of a lung or part of a lung (NOT cause by obstruction) results in ________-

Answer 14

absorption of alveolar air and collapse of the alveoli

Question 15

Depending on the amount of ____ affected either will not cause tracheal deviation or it will deviate____ the affected lung

Answer 15

lung tissue; towards

Question 16

Alveolar actelectasis is reversible by providing ______, increasing ______

Answer 16

surfactant, increasing depth of ventilation

Question 17

In Compressive atelectasis, the ______ becomes filled with tumor, air, or fluid, compressing lung tissue

Answer 17

pleural cavity

Question 18

If the pleural space becomes filled it pushes the mediastinum away- the trachea deviates _____ from the affected area

Answer 18

away from

Question 19

Compressive atelectasis is reversible with removal of ______

Answer 19

compressing mass

Question 20

acute or slow growth of compressive atelectasis with air or fluid? with tumor growth?

Answer 20

acute; slower

Question 21

Contraction Atelectasis is associated with ____ changes of the lungs or pleura that prevent full expansion of the lung

Answer 21

fibrotic– ( contract the ling to a smaller volume)

Question 22

Contraction atelectasis is a ___, ___ process. Interpleural space created during contraction will fill with fluid, therefor no tracheal deviation

Answer 22

slow, chronic

Question 23

in contraction actelectatis reversible?

Answer 23

No