Which strategy helps prevent postoperative atelectasis?

• A. Avoiding breathing exercises
• B. Incentive spirometry and early mobilization
• C. Prolonged bed rest
• D. Immediate extubation without assessment

Answer: (B)

Postoperative atelectasis happens when shallow breaths and limited lung expansion allow alveoli to collapse, often worsened by pain, anesthesia, and mucus buildup. The most effective prevention combines promoting full lung inflation and helping clear secretions. Incentive spirometry provides a visual cue and trains patients to take slow, deep breaths, increasing inspiratory volume, re-expanding collapsed airways, and improving ventilation of the lungs. Early mobilization further boosts chest wall movement and diaphragmatic excursion, increases overall lung volumes, and aids mucus clearance, reducing the chance of alveolar collapse. Together, these strategies keep the airways open and functioning well after surgery.

Avoiding breathing exercises, prolonged bed rest, or rapid extubation without assessment don’t support lung expansion and secretion clearance, so they’re not effective in preventing atelectasis.