APPLIED PHYSIOLOGY · PRIMARIES SURGERY

Respiratory mechanics → post-op atelectasis — 62F

8 decision points ~18 min Difficulty 3/5 Primaries

Setting

You are reviewing a post-op patient with atelectasis on the surgical ward. You reason through the respiratory physiology with the intern to guide management.

Patient

Mrs O, 62-year-old smoker, day-2 post open cholecystectomy. SpO₂ 88% on room air, RR 24, shallow breathing, right basal crackles + reduced expansion. CXR: right basal atelectasis. Not febrile.

Reference stack

Bailey & Love 28e Ch 6 · Ganong's 26e Ch 34–36 · West's Respiratory Physiology 10e

Start cascade →

You'll be asked to decide what happens next at each step. There's no timer — take your time. The correct answer + evidence-anchored rationale is revealed after each choice.