Chest physiotherapy (CPT) is ordered for a client with pneumonia. The nurse knows that the primary purpose of CPT for this client is to:
A.
stimulate deeper inhalations.
B.
improve ciliary movement in the bronchioles.
C.
loosen secretions in congested areas.
D.
propel oxygen along the respiratory tract.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is C. loosen secretions in congested areas.
Explanation:
Chest physiotherapy (CPT) is a therapeutic intervention commonly used in clients with respiratory conditions, such as pneumonia, to assist in the mobilization and clearance of secretions from the lungs. Pneumonia, characterized by the inflammation of the lung tissue due to infection, often results in the accumulation of mucus and secretions in the airways. These secretions can obstruct airflow, impair gas exchange, and serve as a medium for bacterial growth, potentially worsening the infection.
The primary purpose of CPT is to loosen and mobilize these secretions from congested areas of the lungs. This is achieved through a combination of techniques, including percussion, vibration, and postural drainage:
- Percussion: This involves rhythmic clapping on the chest wall with cupped hands, creating vibrations that help to dislodge mucus from the walls of the bronchi and bronchioles.
- Vibration: Following percussion, vibration is applied to the chest using hands or mechanical devices. This technique further helps to loosen mucus and move it toward the larger airways, where it can be more easily coughed up or suctioned.
- Postural Drainage: This technique involves positioning the client in various postures that use gravity to assist in draining secretions from specific lung segments into the larger airways.
These combined CPT techniques enhance the effectiveness of coughing, which is the body’s natural mechanism for clearing mucus from the airways. By loosening secretions, CPT facilitates their movement into the larger airways, making them easier to expectorate, thereby reducing airway obstruction and improving oxygenation.
In contrast, the other options listed do not represent the primary goal of CPT:
- A. Stimulate deeper inhalations: While deep breathing exercises may accompany CPT to enhance lung expansion, the main goal of CPT is to clear secretions, not primarily to stimulate deep inhalations.
- B. Improve ciliary movement in the bronchioles: While CPT may indirectly support ciliary function by reducing mucus obstruction, its primary purpose is not to enhance ciliary movement but to mechanically clear secretions.
- D. Propel oxygen along the respiratory tract: CPT does not directly influence the movement of oxygen through the respiratory tract. Its role is to improve airway clearance, which can subsequently enhance oxygenation by ensuring that airways are clear.
In summary, the primary goal of CPT in a client with pneumonia is to loosen secretions in congested areas, thereby facilitating their removal and improving respiratory function. This is crucial for preventing complications, promoting better gas exchange, and aiding in the client’s recovery.