What is important about the order of treatments during chest physiotherapy?

The significance of performing coughing or suctioning after chest percussion is rooted in the physiological processes of clearing airways. Chest percussion is a therapeutic technique used to dislodge mucus from the walls of the airways, making it easier for the patient to expel this mucus through coughing. By conducting coughing or suctioning following percussion, the practitioner facilitates the removal of secretions that have been loosened, thus improving the effectiveness of the overall treatment. This sequence enhances airway clearance and promotes better respiratory function, which is the primary goal of chest physiotherapy.

Other options do not align with this practice. For example, conducting chest percussion at the end of the treatment would not take advantage of the benefits of airway clearance after percussion, and performing vibration before postural drainage could hinder the optimal movement of secretions since postural drainage is designed to utilize gravity to assist in clearing mucus. Keeping the client seated throughout treatment could also limit the effectiveness of postural drainage techniques, which often require specific positions to maximize secretion clearance.