Chapter 24: Management of Patients with Chronic Pulmonary Disease
During a health seminar for the prevention of COPD, a nurse advises participants that the number-one risk factor for COPD is: History of severe respiratory infections. Occupational chemicals. Tobacco smoke. Outdoor pollution.
Tobacco smoke. Explanation: There are five major risk factors for COPD. The most important is cigarette smoking.
The goal for oxygen therapy in COPD is to support tissue oxygenation, decrease the work of the cardiopulmonary system, and maintain the resting partial arterial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) of at least ______ mm Hg and an arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2) of at least ___%. 60 mm Hg; 90% 58 mm Hg; 88% 56 mm Hg; 86% 54 mm Hg; 84%
60 mm Hg; 90% Explanation: The goal is a PaO2 of at least 60 mm Hg and an SaO2 of 90%.
A physician orders a beta2 adrenergic-agonist agent (bronchodilator) that is short-acting and administered only by inhaler. What drug would the nurse know to administer to the client? Formoterol Ipratropium bromide Isoproterenol Albuterol
Albuterol Explanation: Short-acting beta2-adrenergic agonists include albuterol, levalbuterol, and pirbuterol. They are the medications of choice for relief of acute symptoms and prevention of exercise-induced asthma. They are used to relax smooth muscle.
Which is the strongest predisposing factor for asthma? Allergy Air pollution Congenital malformations Male gender
Allergy Explanation: Allergy is the strongest predisposing factor for asthma.
The nurse should be alert for a complication of bronchiectasis that results from a combination of retained secretions and obstruction that leads to the collapse of alveoli. This complication is known as Pneumonia Emphysema Pleurisy Atelectasis
Atelectasis Explanation: Retention of secretions and subsequent obstruction ultimately cause the aveoli distal to the obstruction to collapse (atelectasis).
Which statement is true about both lung transplant and bullectomy? Both procedures treat patients with bullous emphysema. Both procedures improve the overall quality of life of a client with COPD. Both procedures cure COPD. Both procedures treat end-stage emphysema.
Both procedures improve the overall quality of life of a client with COPD. Explanation: Treatments for COPD are aimed more at treating the symptoms and preventing complications, thereby improving the overall quality of life of a client with COPD. In fact, there is no cure for COPD. Lung transplant is aimed at treating end-stage emphysema and bullectomy is used to treat clients with bullous emphysema.
Which of the following are risk factors for the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)? Select all that apply. Air pollution Tobacco smoke Second-hand smoke Infection Occupational dust
Correct response: Tobacco smoke Occupational dust Air pollution Infection Second-hand smoke Explanation: Risk factors for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are tobacco smoke, environmental tobacco smoke, occupational dust and chemicals, indoor and outdoor air pollution, and infection.
A junior-level nursing class has just finished learning about the management of clients with chronic pulmonary diseases. They learned that a new definition of COPD leaves only one disorder within its classification. Which of the following is that disorder? Asthma Cystic fibrosis Emphysema Bronchiectasis
Emphysema Explanation: COPD may include diseases that cause airflow obstruction (eg, emphysema, chronic bronchitis) or any combination of these disorders. Other diseases such as cystic fibrosis, bronchiectasis, and asthma that were previously classified as types of COPD are now classified as chronic pulmonary disorders. Asthma is now considered a distinct, separate disorder and is classified as an abnormal airway condition characterized primarily by reversible inflammation.
Which exposure accounts for most cases of COPD? Passive smoking Exposure to tobacco smoke Ambient air pollution Occupational exposure
Exposure to tobacco smoke Explanation: Exposure to tobacco smoke accounts for an estimated 80% to 90% of COPD cases. Occupational exposure, passive smoking, and ambient air pollution are risk factors, but they do not account for most cases.
The nurse is assigned the care of a 30-year-old client diagnosed with cystic fibrosis (CF). Which nursing intervention will be included in the client's care plan? Performing chest physiotherapy as ordered Providing the client a low-sodium diet Discussing palliative care and end-of-life issues with the client Restricting oral intake to 1,000 mL/day
Performing chest physiotherapy as ordered Explanation: Nursing care includes helping clients manage pulmonary symptoms and prevent complications. Specific measures include strategies that promote removal of pulmonary secretions, chest physiotherapy, and breathing exercises. In addition, the nurse emphasizes the importance of an adequate fluid and dietary intake to promote removal of secretions and to ensure an adequate nutritional status. Clients with CF also experience increased salt content in sweat gland secretions; thus it is important to ensure the client consumes a diet that contains adequate amounts of sodium. As the disease progresses, the client will develop increasing hypoxemia. In this situation, preferences for end-of-life care should be discussed, documented, and honored; however, there is no indication that the client is terminally ill.
A patient is being treated for status asthmaticus. What danger sign does the nurse observe that can indicate impending respiratory failure? Metabolic acidosis Respiratory acidosis Metabolic alkalosis Respiratory alkalosis
Respiratory acidosis Explanation: In status asthmaticus, increasing PaCO2 (to normal levels or levels indicating respiratory acidosis) is a danger sign signifying impending respiratory failure. Understanding the sequence of the pathophysiologic processes in status asthmaticus is important for understanding assessment findings. Respiratory alkalosis occurs initially because the patient hyperventilates and PaCO2 decreases. As the condition continues, air becomes trapped in the narrowed airways and carbon dioxide is retained, leading to respiratory acidosis.
A nurse administers albuterol (Proventil), as ordered, to a client with emphysema. Which finding indicates that the drug is producing a therapeutic effect? Dilated and reactive pupils Respiratory rate of 22 breaths/minute Heart rate of 100 beats/minute Urine output of 40 ml/hour
Respiratory rate of 22 breaths/minute Explanation: In a client with emphysema, albuterol is used as a bronchodilator. A respiratory rate of 22 breaths/minute indicates that the drug has achieved its therapeutic effect because fewer respirations are required to achieve oxygenation. Albuterol has no effect on pupil reaction or urine output. It may cause a change in the heart rate, but this is an adverse, not therapeutic, effect.
To help prevent infections in clients with COPD, the nurse should recommend vaccinations against two bacterial organisms. Which of the following are the two vaccinations? Streptococcus pneumonia and varicella Haemophilus influenzae and Gardasil Streptococcus pneumonia and Haemophilus influenzae Haemophilus influenzae and varicella
Streptococcus pneumonia and Haemophilus influenzae Explanation: Clients with COPD are more susceptible to respiratory infections, so they should be encouraged to receive the influenza and pneumococcal vaccines. Clients with COPD aren't at high risk for varicella or hepatitis B. The HPV vaccine is to guard against cervical cancer and is recommended only for females ages 9 to 26 years.
Which of the following is not a primary symptom of COPD? Dyspnea upon exertion Sputum production Weight gain Cough
Weight gain Explanation: COPD is characterized by three primary symptoms: cough, sputum production, and dyspnea upon exertion. Weight loss is common with COPD.
A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is admitted to the medical-surgical unit. To help this client maintain a patent airway and achieve maximal gas exchange, the nurse should: administer pain medication as ordered. instruct the client to drink at least 2 L of fluid daily. maintain the client on bed rest. administer anxiolytics, as ordered, to control anxiety.
instruct the client to drink at least 2 L of fluid daily. Explanation: Mobilizing secretions is crucial to maintaining a patent airway and maximizing gas exchange in the client with COPD. Measures that help mobilize secretions include drinking 2 L of fluid daily, practicing controlled pursed-lip breathing, and engaging in moderate activity. Anxiolytics rarely are recommended for the client with COPD because they may cause sedation and subsequent infection from inadequate mobilization of secretions. Because COPD rarely causes pain, pain medication isn't indicated.
The classification of grade I COPD is defined as mild COPD. moderate COPD. severe COPD. very severe COPD.
mild COPD. Explanation: Grade I is mild COPD. Grade II is moderate COPD. Grade III is severe COPD. Grade IV is very severe COPD.
The classification of Stage II of COPD is defined as severe COPD. at risk for COPD. mild COPD. very severe COPD. moderate COPD.
moderate COPD. Explanation: Stage II is moderate COPD. Stage 0 is at risk for COPD. Stage I is mild COPD. Stage III is severe COPD. Stage IV is very severe COPD.
A nurse is developing a teaching plan for a client with asthma. Which teaching point has the highest priority? Take ordered medications as scheduled. Change filters on heating and air conditioning units frequently. Avoid contact with fur-bearing animals. Avoid goose down pillows.
Take ordered medications as scheduled. Explanation: Although avoiding contact with fur-bearing animals, changing filters on heating and air conditioning units frequently, and avoiding goose down pillows are all appropriate measures for clients with asthma, taking ordered medications on time is the most important measure in preventing asthma attacks.
A nurse is assisting with a subclavian vein central line insertion when the client's oxygen saturation drops rapidly. He complains of shortness of breath and becomes tachypneic. The nurse suspects the client has developed a pneumothorax. Further assessment findings supporting the presence of a pneumothorax include: muffled or distant heart sounds. paradoxical chest wall movement with respirations. diminished or absent breath sounds on the affected side. tracheal deviation to the unaffected side.
diminished or absent breath sounds on the affected side. Explanation: In the case of a pneumothorax, auscultating for breath sounds will reveal absent or diminished breath sounds on the affected side. Paradoxical chest wall movements occur in flail chest conditions. Tracheal deviation occurs in a tension pneumothorax. Muffled or distant heart sounds occur in cardiac tamponade.
