مريض بعد عملية بطن بيومين، حرارته ٣٨٫١، وأصوات التنفس ضعيفة في القاعدتين، ولا يستخدم جهاز التنفس التحفيزي. ما الأرجح؟

Two days after abdominal surgery a client has a temperature of 38.1 °C and reduced breath sounds at both bases, and he is not using his incentive spirometer. What is most likely?

1. Atelectasis
2. A large pulmonary embolism
3. An allergic reaction to the antibiotic
4. Surgical wound infection

Answer: A) Atelectasis. Atelectasis is common in the first post-operative days from shallow breathing and pain, and may cause low-grade fever. Prevention and treatment: incentive spirometry, coughing, early mobilisation and adequate analgesia.