Question

Positioning with pneumonia -

lay ___ the affected side to splint and reduce pain. But if you are
trying to reduce _____ the sick lung goes up. (Ever had a stuffy nose, and you lay with the stuff side up and it clears?)

Answer 1

Pneumonia is a disease in which the alveoli of the lungs become inflamed and filled with fluid, inhibiting gas exchange. It is recommended to lay on the affected side to splint and reduce pain. If trying to reduce congestion, it is suggested to lay with the sick lung side up.

Step-by-step explanation:

Pneumonia is a disease in which the alveoli of the lungs become inflamed and filled with fluid, inhibiting gas exchange. When a person has pneumonia, it is often recommended to lay on the affected side to splint and reduce pain. However, when trying to reduce congestion, it is suggested to lay with the sick lung side up, similar to how laying with the stuffy side up can help clear a stuffy nose. This allows gravity to help drain fluids and improve airflow.

Answer 2

For pneumonia, lay on the side opposite the affected lung to reduce pain and facilitate better gas exchange. Laying on the affected lung's side is advised if the goal is to improve ventilation for the less sick lung.

Step-by-step explanation:

When positioning someone with pneumonia, the patient should lay on the side opposite the affected lung to allow for better gas exchange and facilitate comfort. Specifically, laying on the unaffected side helps to splint any damaged area, thereby potentially reducing pain and discomfort. Conversely, if the goal is to optimize ventilation and perfusion to the less sick lung, the patient should lay with the affected or 'sick' lung up, akin to the way you might lay with a stuffy nose to clear one side.

Pneumonia is an infection where the alveoli in the lungs become inflamed and fill with fluid, impeding proper gas exchange and often leading to symptoms such as coughing, chest pain, and difficulty breathing. Effective treatment usually includes antibiotics for bacterial causes.