Which of the following patient groups should be considered for lung expansion therapy using intermittent positive-pressure breathing (IPPB)?

1. Patients with clinically diagnosed atelectasis who are not responsive to other therapies
2. Patients at high risk for atelectasis who cannot cooperate with other methods
3. All obese patients who have undergone abdominal surgery
a. 1 and 2 only
b. 2 and 3 only
c. 1 and 3 only
d. 1, 2, and 3

ANS: A
IPPB may be useful for patients with clinically diagnosed atelectasis not responsive to other therapies, such as incentive spirometry and chest physiotherapy. In addition, IPPB may be useful for patients who are at high risk for atelectasis and not able to cooperate with more simple tech-niques such as IS.