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Postoperative Atelectasis Prevention — NCLEX Cheat Sheet

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👤 By the CinnaRN Clinical Content Team 🕐 Updated 2026-07-11 🏷️ Physiological Adaptation 🔖 Free to read, print, and share

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Use this quick-reference guide to spot, treat, and prevent Postoperative Atelectasis Prevention on the NCLEX. Keep it handy during review and on exam day!

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Cause

Why it happens

Collapsed alveoli, shallow breath
Pain, sedation, immobility

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Signs

What to look for

↓Breath sounds, crackles
Low-grade fever first 48h
Dyspnea, ↓SpO2

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Do

Nursing actions

Incentive spirometer 10×/hr
Cough, deep breathe, splint
Early ambulation, reposition q2h

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Teach

Teaching points

Pain control → better breaths
Hold pillow over incision

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Quick Tip

Anesthesia, splinting from pain, and immobility lead to shallow respirations and alveolar collapse.

📖 Related Topics

Hypokalemia Hyperkalemia Hyponatremia Heart Failure

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