S&S of atelectasis include which symptoms?

• A. Dyspnea, chest pain or cough
• B. Fever and rash
• C. Headache and dizziness
• D. Nausea and vomiting

Answer: (A)

Atelectasis causes reduced lung expansion and irritation of the airways, so the classic symptoms are trouble breathing (dyspnea), chest discomfort, and a cough. These reflect the lung not fully expanding and the body trying to clear the affected area, leading to breathing difficulty and chest symptoms.

Fever with a rash would point more toward infection or inflammatory conditions, not the localized collapse of lung tissue. Headache and dizziness or nausea and vomiting aren’t typical primary presentations of atelectasis, since they don’t arise directly from a collapsed portion of the lung or its impact on gas exchange.