Pathophysiology of Atelecatsis

[johnnyfyve101]

I am doing a case study on atelectasis, and have been confused by the sheet I am filling out.  The pathophysiology of atelectasis would include the clinical symptoms, as the effect to the patient?  The clinical findings could also be used for expected findings, or just the patient reported symptoms would be in the expected findings category?

 

[amoLucia]

What are your thoughts first?

[johnnyfyve101]

If the pathophysiology is the effect on the body, it would include:

collapsed alveoli, lobe or lung, causing - decreased or absent breath sounds, noisy respirations, decreased O2 saturation (SaO2), chest asymmetry, sternal retractions, accessory muscle use, trachea deviated from midline, fever (if infection present), tachypnea, dyspnea, tachycardia, diaphoresis, pleural pain, increased restlessness, anxiety, respiratory failure

The expected findings would be those above, as they are visible/assessment findings and observations.  As well as:

SOB, form of obstruction for obstructive atelectasis, shallow breaths, wheeze or cough, increased resp rate, fever, pain on affected side, and a decreased SpO2.

Or I would remove the clinical symptoms from the pathophysiology and put:

Collapse of alveoli, lobe, or whole lung due to hypoventilation - causes the ineffective inspiration of air to fill the affected lung(s) and open the alveoli.  Leading to a decreased O2 saturation in the blood, which could cause hypoxemia, pneumonia, sepsis, bronchiectasis, pleural effusion, empyema, drowning of the lung, and respiratory failure.

[amoLucia]

OK - so now you've listed all the textbook S&S. So how is your pt doing? Like what matches all those textbook details you've recorded?

I don't understand what your paper is requesting. That's prob what should be directing your case.