Which chest physiotherapy techniques are used to mobilize pulmonary secretions?

• A. Nebulization and humidification
• B. Incentive spirometry only
• C. Percussion, vibration, and postural drainage
• D. Cough techniques only

Answer: (C)

Mobilizing pulmonary secretions relies on chest physiotherapy techniques that apply mechanical energy to loosen mucus and use gravity to drain it toward the central airways for easier clearance. The trio of percussion, vibration, and postural drainage fits this goal. Percussion uses rhythmic clapping on the chest or back to loosen thick mucus from the airway walls. During exhalation, vibration applies a fine, rapid shake that helps move secretions toward larger airways. Postural drainage positions the patient so gravity assists drainage from specific lung segments into the central airways to be coughed out or suctioned. This combination directly facilitates mucus clearance, which is the primary aim of chest physiotherapy.

Nebulization and humidification moisten and thin secretions but don’t physically mobilize them with the mechanical impact and drainage strategy of chest physiotherapy. Incentive spirometry focuses on deep breathing and lung expansion to prevent atelectasis, not mucus clearance. Cough techniques aid removal of secretions but, by themselves, don’t provide the systematic chest physiotherapy approach used to mobilize secretions through percussion, vibration, and drainage.