Airway Clearance Tech's and Mobilization Flashcards
(130 cards)
Airway Clearance Tech’s and Mobilization
AKA
Pulm Hygiene
Chest PT
Bronchial Hygiene
Pulmonary Toileting**** (get “Stuff” OUT)
Pulmonary Hygiene Tech’s
What are they?
- Manual or mechanical procedures that facilitate mobilization or secretions from airways
Pulmonary Hygiene
Optimal Airway Clearance Choice based on:
- pathophys and sx’s
- stability of medical status
- pts adherence
Pulmonary Hygiene
The Pt Exam BEFORE, DURING, AFTER Tx tells us what?
provides info to judge pt tolerance and tx effectiveness !!!
Pulmonary Hygiene
GOALS:
- Optimize airway patency
- INC ventilation and perfusion (V/Q) matching
- Promote alveolar expansion
- INC gas exchange
Pulmonary Hygiene
Precautions
- MEALS
- No Trendelenberg
- Meds***
-
Bronchodilators vs. Antibiotics
- we WANT bronchodilators PRIOR TO interventions to OPEN UP BRONCHIOLES
-
Bronchodilators vs. Antibiotics
WHEN is Pulm Hygiene indicated?
- ANY Dx that affects Ventilation in V/Q equation
- V is abnormal
- Q is OK
Ex. Dx’s in which Pulm Hygiene is Indicated
- CF
-
Obstructive– change in mucus boundary
- fluid in lungs, mucus EVERYWHERE
-
Obstructive– change in mucus boundary
- Bronchiectasis
-
Obstructive–permanent dilation of bronchia
- lung tissue dilates/loses integrity
-
Obstructive–permanent dilation of bronchia
- Atelectasis
- alveolar collapse
- Trunk + Access. mm weakness
- Life support: mech. vent or post-op
- Neonate resp distress syndrome and bronchopulm dysplasia
- ASTHMA
Pulm Hygiene
The List
see below

Diaphragm Innervation
Phrenic C3, C4, C5
Keeps the Diaphragm Alive!!!
Coughing
2 Types :
- Splinted
- Assisted Cough (forceful thrust of T/S bc cannot use abs)
Coughing
Splinted Cough
Everything you know about it…
- Hug pillow/squeeze and cough
- Trying to match pressure in vs. pressure out
-
Recommended post-op bc PAIN when they cough normally—–Pillow is like a crutch
- prevent rib cage pressure on mm’s
- pillow is for external pressure to match internal pressure
Coughing
Assisted Cough
- SCI pts!!!!
-
BIG thoracic flexion for cough
- literally extend spine, inhale, THROW BODY FORWARD and forceful cough !!!
Coughing
What do we WANT?
PRODUCTIVE, EFFECTIVE COUGH!!!
Postural Drainage Pos’s
Tips and tricks to remember
- If it is ANTERIOR (on FRONT side of body)
- they must start SUPINE
- If it is POSTERIOR (on BACK side of body)
- they must start PRONE
- If it is MIDDLE LOBES
- Raise feet up 12 in.
- If it is BASAL/LOWER LOBES
- Raise feet up 18 in.

Postural Drainage
One or more body pos’s that allow gravity to assist w/ draining secretions from ea. lung segment
Postural Drainage
The pos’s can be modified to address what?
Precautions and/or relative contraindications
Postural Drainage
Where does our priority lie?
given to most affected lung segment FIRST
Postural Drainage
Duration?
5-20 mins
- If they can be ALONE you can leave them in it longer bc they can independently move
- 5 mins IF coordinated w/ another technique
- NEVER leave pt unattended UNLESS they can indep. reposition themselves
Postural Drainage
Some Advantages:
easy to learn for pt.
easy to coord. w/ diff. tx’s
No $$$
Postural Drainage
Disadvantages
Contraindicated for lg. group of pts
Adherence is diff. bc we recommend 20mins
KIDS CANNOT JUST SIT FOR 20mins
You KNOW the segments and postural drainage positions
Reminder for Right POST. lobe and Left POST. lobe
Remember these are BOTH on BACK of body….and UPPER lobes
-
Right Post. UPPER lobes
- have to START Prone, then put them on LEFT side, ELEVATE right side
-
LEFT Post. UPPER lobes
- SAME as Right BUT now lean them onto RIGHT, ELEVATE Left side w/ pillow and RAISE HEAD OF BED UP!!!!

POSTURAL DRAINAGE
Precautions
*Remember HAMP
- Hemoptysis
- Ascites
- Morbidly obese
- Pulmonary Embolism
Postural Drainage
More Precautions
From lecture vs. lab
- Pulm Edema
- Hemoptysis
- Obesity
- Lg. pleural effusion
- Ascites
Still remember HAMP !!!

