Questions: Which of the following are considered airway clearance therapies? 1. Postural drainage and percussion 2. Incentive spirometry 3. Positive airway pressure 4. Percussion, vibration, and oscillation 2,3 , and 4 only 1 and 2 only 1 and 3 only 1,2 , and 3 only

The answer is the first one: 1. Postural drainage and percussion, 3. Positive airway pressure, and 4. Percussion, vibration, and oscillation.

Explanation for each option:

1. Postural drainage and percussion: This is a traditional airway clearance therapy that involves positioning the patient to use gravity to help drain mucus from the lungs, combined with percussion (clapping) to loosen mucus.

2. Incentive spirometry: This is not typically considered an airway clearance therapy. It is primarily used to encourage deep breathing to prevent lung complications after surgery, rather than directly clearing mucus.

3. Positive airway pressure: This includes therapies like CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) and PEP (Positive Expiratory Pressure), which help keep the airways open and can assist in mucus clearance.

4. Percussion, vibration, and oscillation: These are techniques used to loosen and mobilize mucus in the airways, making them part of airway clearance therapies.

Therefore, the correct options that are considered airway clearance therapies are 1, 3, and 4.