What is the most effective method for resolving atelectasis in a spontaneously breathing patient under sedation?

The most effective method for resolving atelectasis in a spontaneously breathing patient under sedation is sustained maximal inhalation using an incentive spirometer. This approach encourages patients to take deep breaths, promoting lung expansion and allowing for the re-opening of collapsed alveoli. The use of an incentive spirometer helps patients visualize their inhalation efforts, motivating them to achieve and sustain adequate lung volumes.

In such situations, deep breathing coaching is also beneficial but may not provide the structured feedback that an incentive spirometer offers. While IPPB (Intermittent Positive Pressure Breathing) can assist with lung expansion, its use is less common today due to concerns about patient comfort and the potential for complications. Intubation and mechanical ventilation are far more invasive and typically reserved for critically ill patients or those unable to maintain adequate ventilation and oxygenation on their own. Thus, for a spontaneously breathing, sedated patient, utilizing a sustained maximal inhalation technique is both effective and non-invasive for resolving atelectasis.