Question

You are treating a COPD patient for mild shortness of breath when you note the presence of pursed lips and sighing-type respirations at 26/minute. Why would the patient present with pursed lips and frequent sighing?

A. In an attempt to expel foreign bodies or irritants from the lower airway

B. To prevent atelectasis from occurring at the end of exhalation

C. To prevent pleural friction rub that is associated with pleurisy and pain

D. To increase the size of the air sacs of the lungs to improve oxygenation

Answer 1

Pursed-lip breathing and frequent sighing are techniques used by COPD patients to alleviate shortness of breath and improve ventilation, by reducing respiratory rate and preventing alveolar collapse and air trapping.

Step-by-step explanation:

The presence of pursed lips and frequent sighing in a COPD patient experiencing mild shortness of breath is most commonly a compensatory mechanism. Pursed-lip breathing is a technique used by individuals with COPD to alleviate shortness of breath (dyspnea) and to improve ventilation. Pursed-lip breathing helps to reduce the respiratory rate, decrease the effort of breathing, and promote more effective expulsion of air from the lungs, preventing air trapping which is common in COPD due to alveolar collapse and airway obstruction. Frequent sighing or taking deeper breaths can help to fully reinflate alveoli and prevent atelectasis, which is the complete or partial collapse of a lung or lobe of a lung.