Postural drainage mechanism

Postural drainage mechanism

• A. It uses suction to remove mucus
• B. It promotes coughing by irritants
• C. It uses gravity to move mucus toward the throat for easier clearance
• D. It relies on humidified air to loosen secretions

Answer: (C)

Postural drainage relies on gravity to move mucus from the smaller airways toward the larger airways so it can be coughed up or suctioned out. By placing the patient in specific positions, secretions drain along the bronchial tree toward the trachea, making clearance easier. This technique is often used with chest percussion or vibration to loosen secretions, but the key mechanism is gravity-driven drainage, not suction, irritants, or humidified air.

Postural drainage relies on gravity to move mucus from the smaller airways toward the larger airways so it can be coughed up or suctioned out. By placing the patient in specific positions, secretions drain along the bronchial tree toward the trachea, making clearance easier. This technique is often used with chest percussion or vibration to loosen secretions, but the key mechanism is gravity-driven drainage, not suction, irritants, or humidified air.