Which patient would benefit from education about pursed-lip breathing?

A) A patient with emphysema after many years of smoking
B) A patient with a pneumothorax and a chest tube to suction
C) A patient with a tracheostomy following throat cancer surgery
D) A patient with respiratory muscle paralysis after spinal cord injury

Pursed-Lip Breathing

A breathing technique that involves breathing in through the nose and out through tightly pressed (pursed) lips to improve breath control.

Emphysema

A long-term, progressive disease of the lungs that primarily causes shortness of breath due to over-inflation of the air sacs (alveoli).

Pneumothorax

The presence of air or gas in the pleural space that causes collapse of the lung.