National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) Practice Exam

What is the best method for teaching patients segmental breathing?

1. Place both hands over the lower ribs with gentle pressure throughout exhalation

2. Use an incentive spirometer for deep inhalation

3. Apply pressure over the lower abdomen near end of exhalation

4. Apply firm pressure before inspiration to encourage inhalation

The correct answer is: Apply firm pressure before inspiration to encourage inhalation

The best method for teaching patients segmental breathing involves applying firm pressure before inspiration to encourage inhalation. This technique focuses on enhancing the efficacy of the breathing process by encouraging deeper inhalation in specific regions of the lungs. By applying pressure at strategic points in the thoracic or abdominal regions, patients learn to focus their breathing efforts and engage the appropriate muscles, ultimately promoting better lung expansion and ventilation. Firm pressure can assist in directing airflow to underutilized areas of the lungs, facilitating more effective segmental breathing. This method is particularly beneficial in rehabilitation settings where it is essential to retrain breath patterns and improve overall respiratory function. The tactile feedback provided by the pressure helps patients become more aware of their breathing mechanics, leading to improved control and effectiveness of their inhalation efforts. Other methods, such as using an incentive spirometer or applying gentle pressure on the ribs, may also promote breathing exercises but do not provide the same level of targeted encouragement for inhalation as the application of firm pressure does. Therefore, the approach that utilizes encouraging inhalation through the application of firm pressure stands out as the most effective for achieving segmental breathing.