ATELECTASIS

DEFINITION

• Atelectasis is derived from Greek word

"ateles" and "ektasis" meaning incomplete
expansion.
• Therefore Atelectasis is a lung condition
characterized by collapsed , airless alveoli .
• It is also defined as diminished
volume affecting all parts of a lung .
• It develops when the alveoli becomes airless
from absorption of their air without
replacement of the air with breathing .
 ETIOLOGY

+ • Atelectasis may be the result of

a blocked airway (obstructive) or
of pressure from outside the lung
(no obstructive).
+ Almost everyone who has surgery
has some atelectasis from
anesthesia
OBSTRUCTIVE AT
ELECTASIS
❖ Most common type
❖ Due to a physical blockage of airflow
❖ Obstruction can occur at the level of the larger or
smaller bronchus
Causes
❖ Mucus plug.
❖ Foreign body- Atelectasis is common in children who
have inhaled an object, such as a peanut or small toy
part, into their lungs.
❖ Tumor in a major airway- An abnormal growth can
narrow the airway.
❖ Blood clot.
NON-OBSTRUCTIVE ATELECTASIS
+When alveoli collapse due to factors acting via other mechanisms.
+Least common
Causes
+ Injury- Chest trauma from a fall or car accident.
+Pleural effusion.
+Pneumonia- Different types of pneumonia, an infection of your
lungs, may temporarily cause atelectasis.
+Pneumothorax.
+Tumor- A large tumor can press against and deflate the lung.
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
Due to etiology

Excess secretion of mucus in bronchial tree

Causes blockage in airflow.

Trapped alveolar air becomes absorbed into the bloodstream

Affected portion (of alveoli) lung becomes airless and the alveoli collapse. If condition
continues for longer period, it cause collapse or obstruction of the airways

which leads to atelectasis

CLASSIFICATIONS OF ATELECTASIS

BASED ON ONSET ;
Acute ; post operative setting , the lung has recently
collapsed and is primarily notable only for airlessness
+Chronic ; the affected area is often characterized by
infection, bronchiectasis destruction and scarring {fibrosis}
BASED ON CHARACTERISTICS
+Compressed Atelectasis - Compression atelectasis occurs from the
lesion of the thorax compresses the lungs. It takes place in congenital
emphysema. Compressive(intrapulmonary)
Absorption Atelectasis-Refers to the condition where the reduction of
nitrogen concentration in the lungs causes a collapse
Relaxation Atelectasis -Relaxation or passive atelectasis results when
pleural effusion or Pneumothorax eliminates contact between parietal
pleura and visceral pleura. Passive (Extrapulmonary)
Adhesive Atelectasis -Adhesive atelectasis results from surfactant
deficiency. This is observed particularly in acute respiratory distress
syndrome (ARDS)
CONTD.....
+ Cicatrization Atelectasis -It results from
the severe scarring of the parenchyma and
caused by the necrotizing pneumonia
+ Rounded Atelectasis-Occurs as a
consequence of diseases with chronic
pleural scarring, especially asbestos-related
pleural disease and TB
CLINICAL MANISFESTATION
Cough with chest pain.
Sputum production
low-grade fever.
Dyspnea
Tachycardia
Tachypnea
Pleural pain
Central cyanosis (skin lips turn blue
DIAGNOSTIC STUDIES.

• Complete health history.

• Physical examination: Decreased breath sounds and crackles
are heard over the affected area.
• chest x-ray: Patchy infiltrates or consolidated areas.
• Arterial blood gas studies.
• Chest CT or Bronchoscopy.
DIAGNOSTIC STUDY

BRONCHOSCOPE

CHEST X-RAY

CT SCAN CHEST
PREVENTION
+Frequent, early mobilization
+Preoperative breathing & coughing exercises.
+Deep-breathing maneuvers.
+ use of incentive spirometry
+A metered-dose inhaler (MDI)
+Steam inhalation.
+Use of bronchodilatoR
NURSES INTEVENTION
+ Nursing interventions for atelectasis focus on prevention, promoting lung expansion,
and improving ventilation. These interventions may include:
1. Encouraging deep breathing exercises and use of incentive spirometry to expand the
lungs.
2. Assisting with positioning to facilitate optimal lung expansion, such as sitting upright or
using pillows to elevate the head of the bed.
3. Encouraging early ambulation and mobilization to improve ventilation.
4. Administering prescribed bronchodilator medications to help open the airways.
5. Promoting effective coughing and airway clearance techniques.
6. Ensuring adequate pain control to encourage deep breathing and prevent shallow
breathing
MEDICAL INTERVENTIONS
+Medical interventions for atelectasis depend on its underlying cause and
may include:
1. Removal of any blockages or foreign objects obstructing the airway.
2. Drainage of pleural effusion or treatment of pneumothorax.
3. Administration of supplemental oxygen to improve oxygenation.
4. Chest physiotherapy techniques, such as percussion and vibration, to
help loosen secretions.
5. Antibiotics if an infection is present.
6. Surgical interventions may be required in severe cases, such as lung
resection or pleurodesis