Implementation of Chest Physiotherapy Nursing Care to Improve Airway Clearance in Mrs. S with Pulmonary Tuberculosis

Abstract

Pulmonary tuberculosis is a contagious infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis and is often associated with increased sputum production. The accumulation of thick and difficult-to-expectorate secretions may lead to a nursing problem known as ineffective airway clearance. This case study aims to describe the implementation of chest physiotherapy in improving airway clearance in a patient with pulmonary tuberculosis. The subject of this case study was a female patient, Mrs. S, diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis who experienced ineffective airway clearance. Nursing care was provided through the application of chest physiotherapy as the primary intervention, administered twice daily in the morning and evening for three consecutive days. Evaluation was conducted by assessing changes in respiratory signs and symptoms before and after the intervention. The results of the case study showed an improvement in the patient’s respiratory condition following routine chest physiotherapy. Prior to the intervention, the patient had a respiratory rate of 28 breaths per minute, the presence of additional breath sounds (rhonchi), an irregular breathing pattern, and an inability to cough effectively. After the intervention, the respiratory rate decreased to 22 breaths per minute, rhonchi were reduced, the breathing pattern became regular, and the patient was able to perform effective coughing to expectorate secretions. These findings indicate that chest physiotherapy can help improve airway clearance in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis. This case study concludes that chest physiotherapy may be used as an effective nursing intervention in the management of ineffective airway clearance in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis.