Lung Ectomy

delta32 · Sep 13, 2009

When a patient comes out of the OR from a pneumoectomy, they will be on there back at 30 degee's HOB elevation. These patients will be on a Ventilator and have Chest tubes in place.

As for laying the patient on a particular side you are going to be limited in the amount of turning with this patient d/t the tubes that the patient will have. it is important to make sure the the remaining lung is able to fully expand but you also need to ensure proper drainage of the previous cavity of the removed lung.

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Sep 13, 2009

when a patient has a lung removed what side do we need to lay them on when recovering?

you are going to be turning the patient. drainage goes to gravity's lowest point. these patients are at risk for developing pneumonia in the unaffected lung. the removal of a lobe of the lung is called a lobectomy. see

http://www.surgeryencyclopedia.com/la-pa/lobectomy-pulmonary.html

also does anyone know of any sites that might be dedicated to nursing treatments or nursing interventions for various conditions?

the sticky threads of allnurses have all kinds of information and weblinks to some of this information. you have to explore them to see if what you need is there. most nursing interventions are in your textbooks. some threads on allnurses have discussed specific nursing interventions so do a search to find them.

delta32 · Sep 14, 2009

Actually a lobectomy is removal of a lobe of the lung, not the entire lung.

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Sep 14, 2009

Actually a lobectomy is removal of a lobe of the lung, not the entire lung.

True. I was trying to be kind in the way I corrected the student's incorrect use of the term "lung ectomy".

delta32 · Sep 14, 2009

:)

not a problem :)

I really enjoy lungs, i did not want to confuse him.

Sarah Hay · Sep 14, 2009

Good lung down.

Sarah Hay · Sep 14, 2009

pneumonectomy = removal of a lung