Which technique would be most beneficial for a patient unable to cough effectively due to pain?

The technique that would be most beneficial for a patient unable to cough effectively due to pain is manually assisted cough. This method provides direct support to aid the patient in expelling secretions from the airways without requiring them to engage in the full effort of a normal cough, which can be painful. By using manually assisted techniques, the caregiver can help compress the thoracic cavity and facilitate airflow, allowing for an effective cough without placing additional strain on the patient.

In this context, other techniques, while valuable in their own right, may not effectively address the immediate issue of pain-related coughing difficulty. Positive Expiratory Pressure, for instance, is useful for improving lung function and clearing secretions but requires the patient to actively participate, which may exacerbate their discomfort. The Active Cycle of Breathing involves a series of specific breathing exercises aimed at lung expansion and secretion clearance, again requiring active participation that may not be feasible for a patient in pain. Lastly, postural drainage and percussion can help mobilize secretions but involve positioning and movement that may be painful. Therefore, manually assisted cough stands out as the most suitable approach for providing immediate relief and facilitating effective airway clearance for the patient experiencing pain.