Pneumonia vs Atelectasis

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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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Atelectasis is usually a surgical complication.

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Specializes in SNU/SNF/MedSurg, SPCU Ortho/Neuro/Spine.

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!!

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Specializes in None yet!.

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

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Specializes in SNU/SNF/MedSurg, SPCU Ortho/Neuro/Spine.

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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