In conscious patients with limited mobility, encouraging deep breathing with lung expansion helps prevent pneumonia.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Not sure
• D. Depends on patient

Answer: (A)

Encouraging deep breathing with full lung expansion in conscious patients who are limited in movement reduces pneumonia risk by countering atelectasis and promoting airway clearance. When breathing is shallow, parts of the lung can collapse, mucus pools, and ventilation decreases in dependent areas, creating an environment for infection. Deep breaths expand alveoli, recruit underinflated lung zones, improve ventilation-perfusion balance, and stimulate coughing to mobilize secretions. Techniques like diaphragmatic breathing or incentive spirometry help achieve those deep breaths and better lung expansion. If pain or injury makes this difficult, manage those barriers so the patient can breathe deeply to the greatest extent possible. Overall, this approach supports better lung function and lowers the chance of developing pneumonia.