Pursed lip breathing is seen in -?

PGIMER NO - 2020

Medical & Surgical Nursing

Easy

Appeared in: PGIMER NO - 2020

Explanation

Pursed-lip breathing is a characteristic compensatory technique used by individuals with COPD.
The technique involves deep inspiration followed by prolonged expiration through pursed lips.
This action creates positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP), which helps splint airways open during exhalation.
By preventing airway collapse, it facilitates the removal of trapped air (high in CO2) and reduces the work of breathing.

Option A: Pneumonia is an infection of the lung parenchyma. While it causes shortness of breath, the characteristic breathing pattern is typically rapid and shallow (tachypnea), not pursed-lip breathing.
Option B: Atelectasis is the collapse of alveoli. The primary intervention is to re-expand the lung tissue using techniques like deep breathing, coughing, and incentive spirometry, not pursed-lip breathing.
Option C: Pneumothorax is the presence of air in the pleural space leading to lung collapse. This is a medical emergency requiring procedures like chest tube insertion to re-inflate the lung. Pursed-lip breathing is not a treatment or a characteristic sign.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Association of pursed-lip breathing with respiratory diseases as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Teaching pursed-lip breathing is a key nursing intervention that empowers COPD patients to manage episodes of dyspnea, reduce anxiety, and improve their overall quality of life.
Nurses should assess the patient's ability to perform the technique correctly and provide positive reinforcement.
What if the patient is experiencing an acute asthma attack? While both are obstructive diseases, the priority for a severe asthma attack is rapid-acting bronchodilators. Pursed-lip breathing can be helpful during the recovery phase but is not the first-line response during an acute exacerbation.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key term in the question: 'Pursed lip breathing'.
Recognize this as a specific breathing pattern or technique.
Recall or deduce the pathophysiology associated with this technique. Pursed lips during exhalation are meant to create back-pressure to keep airways open.
Consider which of the listed conditions involves airway collapse during exhalation. This is the hallmark of obstructive diseases like COPD (emphysema type).
Evaluate the other options: Pneumonia (infection), Atelectasis (alveolar collapse), and Pneumothorax (lung collapse from external air) do not primarily involve the specific mechanism of small airway collapse during exhalation that pursed-lip breathing addresses.
Conclude that COPD is the classic condition where pursed-lip breathing is seen and taught.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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