Question

The most common intervention for the CF client with a diagnosis of decreased airway clearance is _________________.

a) Antibiotic therapy
b) Chest physiotherapy
c) Intravenous fluids
d) Pain management

Answer 1

b) Chest physiotherapy is the most common intervention for a CF client with decreased airway clearance, as it directly helps mobilize and remove mucus from the airways.

Step-by-step explanation:

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) and Airway Clearance

The most common intervention for a CF client with a diagnosis of decreased airway clearance is b) Chest physiotherapy. This is because chest physiotherapy can help loosen and remove the thick, sticky mucus that builds up in the lungs of people with CF, thus improving airway clearance. While antibiotic therapy may help address infections, intravenous fluids can maintain proper hydration, and pain management can help with discomfort, it's the chest physiotherapy that directly targets airway clearance by helping to mobilize mucus.

Chest physiotherapy usually includes techniques such as postural drainage, chest percussion, and vibration to aid in the clearance of mucus. The goal is to decrease the work of breathing and to increase the lung volume, enhancing the patient's respiratory function. Such interventions are critical in managing the symptoms of CF and preventing complications associated with poor mucus clearance.