Saunders Respiratory Practice

Which of the following techniques is primarily used to facilitate comfort in patients with respiratory distress?

1. Acid-base balance assessment

2. Pursed lip breathing

3. Chest physiotherapy

4. Incentive spirometry

The correct answer is: Pursed lip breathing

Pursed lip breathing is a technique specifically designed to enhance comfort in patients experiencing respiratory distress. This method involves inhaling through the nose and exhaling slowly through pursed lips, which helps to regulate breathing patterns and improve ventilation. By prolonging the expiration phase, it creates a back pressure in the airways, reducing the work of breathing and preventing airway collapse. This technique is particularly beneficial for patients with conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or other forms of obstructive lung disease, as it can alleviate feelings of breathlessness and promote a sense of calm during episodes of respiratory distress. The other techniques mentioned, while they have their distinct purposes, do not primarily focus on comfort in the same way. Acid-base balance assessment is a diagnostic tool rather than an immediate comfort measure. Chest physiotherapy is more concerned with the clearance of mucus and secretion management, which can indirectly improve comfort but is not its primary focus. Incentive spirometry promotes pulmonary expansion and prevents atelectasis, useful for recovery post-surgery, but it does not directly address immediate comfort in respiratory distress situations.