Question

Placing the patient who is obese in which position expands total lung volume and aids in ventilation?

1) Supine position
2) Prone position
3) Lateral position
4) Sitting position

Answer 1

The sitting position is best for expanding total lung volume and aiding ventilation in an obese patient, as it allows for better lung expansion and reduces the weight of the abdomen compressing the diaphragm.

Step-by-step explanation:

Placing a patient who is obese in the sitting position expands total lung volume and aids in ventilation. This position is preferred because when a person is standing, gravity pulls the bottom of the lungs downward more than the top, affecting the ventilation. This gravitational pull is minimized when sitting, allowing for better expansion of the lungs and facilitating airflow, especially in patients with obesity, where the weight of the abdomen can compress the diaphragm in supine or prone positions. Therefore, the correct option is 4) Sitting position.

It is also valuable to understand that gas exchange occurs in the alveoli of the lungs, and proper ventilation is crucial for efficient gas exchange.