The nurse is concerned that atelectasis may develop as a postoperative

The nurse is concerned that atelectasis may develop as a postoperative complication. Which of the following is an appropriate diagnostic label for this problem, should it occur?

1. Impaired gas exchange
2. Decreased cardiac output
3. Ineffective airway clearance
4. Impaired spontaneous ventilation

ANSWER

ANS: 1
A potential etiology for impaired gas exchange may be atelectasis. Atelectasis would not support the diagnostic label for decreased cardiac output. Atelectasis would not be an etiology for inef-fective airway clearance. Increased tenacious sputum production would be a possible etiology for ineffective airway clearance. Impaired spontaneous ventilation would not be an appropriate di-agnostic label for atelectasis.