Pneumonia vs Atelectasis

1. 0 Ok, I know the 2 most common respiratory related complications from abdominal surgery are atelectasis & pneumonia. I keep reading my books, but none of them go into detail enough to really understand the difference in treatment of the two and how to tell the difference. I've looked online and all I find is conflicting information. Please help! I know it's probably very simple and right in my face.. but I'm missing it.

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2. 4 Comments

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3. 
   #1 0

   Oct 15, '09 by nursern1966

   Atelectasis is usually a surgical complication.
4. 
   #2 0

   Oct 15, '09 by 9livesRN

   Atelectasis is like when the lung colapses (when it cant inflate)
   
   https://www.google.com/health/ref/Atelectasis - here is some easy terms info on it
   
   
   pneumonia is an infection of the lungs
   https://www.google.com/health/ref/Pneumonia - here is easy info on that
   
   they are 2 totally different things, so they are treated differently, although you might see some common symptoms, but that is because they both happen on the lung, as per say, shortness of breath!!

   Last edit by 9livesRN on Oct 15, '09 : Reason: more info for you!
5. 
   #3 0

   Oct 15, '09 by checkmarks0725

   Pneumonia is fluid in the lungs. Atelectasis is the collapsing of the aveoli of the lungs. (at least that's my understanding).
6. 
   #4 0

   Oct 15, '09 by 9livesRN

   Atelectasis is caused by a blockage of the air passages (bronchus or bronchioles) or by pressure on the outside of the lung.

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