Chapter 28 - Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases
A patient with asthma has a personal best peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) of 400 L/min. When explaining the asthma action plan, the nurse will teach the patient that a change in therapy is needed when the PEFR is less than ___ L/minute.
Answer: 320 Rationale: A PEFR less than 80% of the personal best indicates that the patient is in the yellow zone where changes in therapy are needed to prevent progression of the airway narrowing.
Which finding in a patient hospitalized with bronchiectasis is most important to report to the health care provider? a. Cough productive of bloody, purulent mucus. b. Report of sharp chest pain with deep breathing. c. Scattered crackles and wheezes heard bilaterally. d. Respiratory rate 28 breaths/min while ambulating.
Answer: a. Cough productive of bloody, purulent mucus. Rationale: Hemoptysis may indicate life-threatening hemorrhage and should be reported immediately to the health care provider. The other findings are frequently noted in patients with bronchiectasis and may need further assessment but are not indicators of life-threatening complications.
A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has poor gas exchange. Which action by the nurse would support the patient's ventilation? a. Encourage the patient to sit in a chair and lean forward. b. Have the patient rest with the head elevated 15 degrees. c. Place the patient in the Trendelenburg position with pillows behind the head. d. Ask the patient to rest in bed in a high-Fowler's position with the knees flexed.
Answer: a. Encourage the patient to sit in a chair and lean forward. Rationale: Patients with COPD improve the mechanics of breathing by sitting up in the "tripod" position. Resting in bed with the head elevated in a semi-Fowler's position would be an alternative position if the patient was confined to bed but sitting in a chair allows better ventilation. The Trendelenburg position or sitting upright in bed with the knees flexed would decrease the patient's ability to ventilate well.
A patient who is experiencing an acute asthma attack is admitted to the emergency department. Which assessment should the nurse complete first? a. Listen to the patient's breath sounds. b. Ask about inhaled corticosteroid use. c. Determine when the dyspnea started. d. Measure forced expiratory volume (FEV) flow rate.
Answer: a. Listen to the patient's breath sounds. Rationale: Assessment of the patient's breath sounds will help determine how effectively the patient is ventilating and whether rapid intubation may be necessary. The length of time the attack has persisted is not as important as determining the patient's status at present. Most patients having an acute attack will be unable to cooperate with an FEV measurement. It is important to know about the medications the patient is using but not as important as assessing the breath sounds.
Which nursing action for a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) could the nurse delegate to experienced unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)? a. Measure O2 saturation using pulse oximetry. b. Monitor for increased O2 need with exercise. c. Teach the patient about safe use of O2 at home. d. Adjust O2 to keep saturation in prescribed parameters.
Answer: a. Measure O2 saturation using pulse oximetry. Rationale: UAP can obtain O2 saturation (after being trained and evaluated in the skill). The other actions require more education and a scope of practice that licensed practical/vocational nurses (LPN/VNs) or registered nurses (RNs) would have.
A patient who is experiencing an asthma attack develops bradycardia and a decrease in wheezing. Which action should the nurse take first? a. Notify the health care provider. b. Document changes in respiratory status. c. Encourage the patient to cough and deep breathe. d. Administer IV methylprednisolone (Solu-Medrol).
Answer: a. Notify the health care provider. Rationale: The patient's assessment indicates impending respiratory failure, and the nurse should prepare to assist with intubation and mechanical ventilation after notifying the health care provider. IV corticosteroids require several hours before having any effect on respiratory status. The patient will not be able to cough or deep breathe effectively. Documentation is not a priority at this time.
The emergency department nurse is evaluating the outcomes for a patient who has received treatment during an asthma attack. Which assessment finding is the best indicator that the therapy has been effective? a. O2 saturation is >90%. b. No wheezes are audible. c. Respiratory rate is 16 breaths/min. d. Accessory muscle use has decreased.
Answer: a. O2 saturation is >90%. Rationale: The goal for treatment of an asthma attack is to keep the O2 saturation above 90%. The other patient data may occur when the patient is too fatigued to continue with the increased work of breathing required in an asthma attack.
A patient hospitalized with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is being discharged home on O2 therapy. Which instruction should the nurse include in the discharge teaching? a. O2 use can improve the patient's quality of life. b. Travel is not possible with the use of O2 devices. c. O2 flow should be increased if the patient has more dyspnea. d. Storage of O2 requires large metal tanks that last 4 to 6 hours.
Answer: a. O2 use can improve the patient's quality of life. Rationale: The use of home O2 improves quality of life and prognosis. Because increased dyspnea may be a symptom of an acute process such as pneumonia, the patient should notify the health care provider rather than increasing the O2 flowrate if dyspnea becomes worse. O2 can be supplied using liquid, storage tanks, or concentrators, depending on individual patient circumstances. Travel is possible using portable O2 concentrators.
The nurse provides dietary teaching for a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who has a low body mass index (BMI). Which patient statement indicates that the teaching has been effective? a. "I will drink lots of fluids with my meals." b. "I can have ice cream as a snack every day." c. "I will exercise for 15 minutes before meals." d. "I will decrease my intake of beef and poultry."
Answer: b. "I can have ice cream as a snack every day." Rationale: High-calorie foods such as ice cream are an appropriate snack for patients with COPD. Fluid intake of 3 L/day is recommended, but fluids should be taken between meals rather than with meals to improve oral intake of solid foods. The patient should avoid exercise for an hour before meals to prevent fatigue while eating. Meat and dairy products are high in protein and are good choices for the patient with COPD.
A young adult female patient with cystic fibrosis (CF) tells the nurse that she is considering trying to become pregnant. Which initial response by the nurse is best? a. "Are you aware of the normal lifespan for patients with CF?" b. "Would like more information to help you with that decision?" c. "You should have genetic counseling before making a decision." d. "Many women with CF do not have difficulty conceiving children."
Answer: b. "Would like more information to help you with that decision?" Rationale: The nurse's initial response should be to assess the patient's knowledge level and need for information. Although the life span for patients with CF is likely to be shorter than normal, it would not be appropriate for the nurse to address this as the initial response to the patient's comments. The other responses have accurate information, but the nurse should first assess the patient's understanding about the issues surrounding pregnancy.
A patient in the clinic with cystic fibrosis (CF) reports increased sweating and weakness during the summer months. Which action by the nurse would be most appropriate? a. Teach the patient signs of hypoglycemia. b. Have the patient add dietary salt to meals. c. Suggest decreasing intake of dietary fat and calories. d. Teach the patient about pancreatic enzyme replacement.
Answer: b. Have the patient add dietary salt to meals. Rationale: Added dietary salt is indicated whenever sweating is excessive, such as during hot weather, when fever is present, or from intense physical activity. The management of pancreatic insufficiency includes pancreatic enzyme replacement before each meal and snack. This patient is at risk for hyponatremia based on reported symptoms. Adequate intake of fat, calories, protein, and vitamins is important. Fat-soluble vitamins (vitamins A, D, E, and K) must be supplemented because they are malabsorbed. Use of caloric supplements improves nutritional status. Hyperglycemia caused by pancreatic insufficiency is more likely to occur than hypoglycemia.
A patient is receiving 35% O2 via a Venturi mask. Which action by the nurse will help ensure the correct dosage of O2? a. Teach the patient to keep the mask on during meals. b. Keep the air entrainment ports clean and unobstructed. c. Use a high enough flowrate to keep the bag from collapsing. d. Drain moisture condensation from the corrugated tubing hourly.
Answer: b. Keep the air entrainment ports clean and unobstructed. Rationale: The air entrainment ports regulate the O2 percentage delivered to the patient, so they must be unobstructed. The other options refer to other types of O2 devices. A high O2 flow rate is needed when giving O2 by partial rebreather or nonrebreather masks. Draining O2 tubing is necessary when caring for a patient receiving mechanical ventilation. The mask can be changed to a nasal cannula at a prescribed setting when the patient eats.
A patient with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) tells the nurse, "I wish I were dead! I'm just a burden on everybody." Based on this information, which patient problem should the nurse identify? a. Fear of death b. Low self-esteem c. Extended grieving d. Inadequate knowledge
Answer: b. Low self-esteem. Rationale: The patient's statement about not being able to do anything for himself or herself reflects low self-esteem. Although inadequate knowledge, extended grieving, and fear of death may be problems for some patients who have COPD, the data for this patient do not support these problems.
The nurse is admitting a patient diagnosed with an acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). How should the nurse determine the appropriate O2 flowrate? a. Minimize O2 use to avoid O2 dependency. b. Maintain the pulse oximetry level at 90% or greater. c. Administer O2 according to the patient's level of dyspnea. d. Avoid administration of O2 at a rate of more than 2 L/min.
Answer: b. Maintain the pulse oximetry level at 90% or greater. Rationale: The best way to determine the appropriate O2 flowrate is by monitoring the patient's oxygenation either by arterial blood gases (ABGs) or pulse oximetry. An O2 saturation of 90% indicates adequate blood O2 level without the danger of suppressing the respiratory drive. For patients with an exacerbation of COPD, an O2 flowrate of 2 L/min may not be adequate. Because O2 use improves survival rate in patients with COPD, there is no concern about O2 dependency. The patient's perceived dyspnea level may be affected by other factors (e.g., anxiety) besides blood O2 level.
Which assessment finding in a patient with impaired gas exchange is most useful in evaluating the effectiveness of treatment? a. Even, unlabored respirations. b. Pulse oximetry reading of 92%. c. Absence of wheezes or crackles. d. Respiratory rate of 18 breaths/min.
Answer: b. Pulse oximetry reading of 92%. Rationale: The best data for evaluation of gas exchange are arterial blood gases (ABGs) or pulse oximetry. The other data may indicate either improvement or impending respiratory failure caused by fatigue.
A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has coarse crackles throughout the lung fields and a chronic, nonproductive cough. Which nursing intervention will be most effective? a. Increase the O2 flow rate to the highest prescribed rate. b. Teach the patient to use a Flutter airway clearance device. c. Reinforce the ongoing use of pursed-lip breathing techniques. d. Teach the patient about consistent use of inhaled corticosteroids.
Answer: b. Teach the patient to use a Flutter airway clearance device. Rationale: Airway clearance devices assist with moving mucus into larger airways, where it can more easily be expectorated. The other actions may be appropriate for some patients with COPD, but they are not specific to this patient's problem of thick mucus secretions.
The clinic nurse makes a follow-up telephone call to a patient with asthma. The patient reports having a baseline peak flow reading of 600 L/min, and the current peak flow is 420 L/min. Which action should the nurse take first? a. Tell the patient to go to the hospital emergency department. b. Teach the patient to use the prescribed albuterol (Ventolin HFA). c. Ask about recent exposure to any new allergens or asthma triggers. d. Question the patient about use of the prescribed inhaled corticosteroids.
Answer: b. Teach the patient to use the prescribed albuterol (Ventolin HFA). Rationale: The patient's peak flow is 70% of normal, indicating a need for immediate use of short-acting Beta2-adrenergic SABA medications. Assessing for correct use of medications or exposure to allergens is appropriate but would not address the current decrease in peak flow. Because the patient is currently in the yellow zone, hospitalization is not needed.
The nurse teaches a patient about pursed-lip breathing. Which action by the patient would indicate to the nurse that further teaching is needed? a. The patient inhales slowly through the nose. b. The patient puffs up the cheeks while exhaling. c. The patient practices by blowing through a straw. d. The patient's ratio of inhalation to exhalation is 1:3.
Answer: b. The patient puffs up the cheeks while exhaling. Rationale: The patient should relax the facial muscles without puffing the cheeks while doing pursed-lip breathing. The other actions by the patient indicate a good understanding of pursed-lip breathing.
When preparing a clinic patient who has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) for pulmonary spirometry, what question the nurse should ask? a. "Are you claustrophobic?" b. "Are you allergic to shellfish?" c. "Have you taken any bronchodilators today?" d. "Do you have any metal implants or prostheses?"
Answer: c. "Have you taken any bronchodilators today?" Rationale: Spirometry will help establish the COPD diagnosis. Bronchodilators should be avoided at least 6 hours before the test. Spirometry does not involve being placed in an enclosed area such as for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Contrast dye is not used for spirometry. The patient may still have spirometry done if metal implants or prostheses are present because they are contraindications for an MRI.
Which instruction should the nurse include in an exercise teaching plan for a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)? a. "Avoid upper body exercises to prevent dyspnea." b. "Stop exercising if you start to feel short of breath." c. "Use the bronchodilator before you start to exercise." d. "Breathe in and out through the mouth while exercising."
Answer: c. "Use the bronchodilator before you start to exercise." Rationale: Use of a bronchodilator before exercise improves airflow for some patients and is recommended. Shortness of breath is normal with exercise and not a reason to stop. Patients should be taught to breathe in through the nose and out through the mouth (using a pursed-lip technique). Upper-body exercise can improve the mechanics of breathing in patients with COPD.
Postural drainage with percussion and vibration is ordered twice daily for a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Which intervention should the nurse include in the plan of care? a. Schedule the procedure 1 hour after the patient eats. b. Maintain the patient in the lateral position for 20 minutes. c. Give the prescribed albuterol (Ventolin HFA) before the therapy. d. Perform percussion before assisting the patient to the drainage position.
Answer: c. Give the prescribed albuterol (Ventolin HFA) before the therapy. Rationale: Bronchodilators are administered before chest physiotherapy. Postural drainage, percussion, and vibration should be done 1 hour before or 3 hours after meals. Patients remain in each postural drainage position for 5 minutes. Percussion is done while the patient is in the postural drainage position.
The nurse is caring for a patient with cor pulmonale. The nurse should monitor the patient for which expected finding? a. Chest pain b. Finger clubbing c. Peripheral edema d. Elevated temperature
Answer: c. Peripheral edema Rationale: Cor pulmonale causes clinical manifestations of right ventricular failure, such as peripheral edema. The other clinical manifestations may occur in the patient with other complications of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease but are not indicators of cor pulmonale.
A patient with cystic fibrosis has blood glucose levels that are consistently between 180 to 250 mg/dL. Which action will the nurse expect to implement? a. Discuss the role of diet in blood glucose control. b. Evaluate the patient's use of pancreatic enzymes. c. Teach the patient about administration of insulin. d. Give oral hypoglycemic medications before meals.
Answer: c. Teach the patient about administration of insulin. Rationale: The glucose levels indicate that the patient has developed cystic fibrosis (CF) related diabetes, and insulin therapy is required. Because the etiology of diabetes in CF is inadequate insulin production, oral hypoglycemic agents are not effective. Patients with CF need a high-calorie diet. Inappropriate use of pancreatic enzymes would not be a cause of hyperglycemia in a patient with CF.
The nurse interviews a patient with a new diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Which information is specific in confirming a diagnosis of chronic bronchitis? a. The patient relates a family history of bronchitis. b. The patient has a 30 pack-year cigarette smoking history. c. The patient reports a productive cough for 3 months of every winter. d. The patient has respiratory problems that began during the past 12 months.
Answer: c. The patient reports a productive cough for 3 months of every winter. Rationale: A diagnosis of chronic bronchitis is based on a history of having a productive cough for 3 months for at least 2 consecutive years. There is no family tendency for chronic bronchitis. Although smoking is the major risk factor for chronic bronchitis, a smoking history does not confirm the diagnosis.
The nurse teaches a patient who has asthma about peak flowmeter use. Which action by the patient indicates that teaching was successful? a. The patient inhales rapidly through the peak flowmeter mouthpiece. b. The patient takes montelukast (Singulair) for peak flows in the red zone. c. The patient uses albuterol (Ventolin HFA) for peak flows in the yellow zone. d. The patient calls the health care provider when the peak flow is in the green zone.
Answer: c. The patient uses albuterol (Ventolin HFA) for peak flows in the yellow zone. Rationale: Readings in the yellow zone indicate a decrease in peak flow. The patient should use short-acting Beta2-adrenergic (SABA) medications. Readings in the green zone indicate good asthma control. The patient should exhale quickly and forcefully through the peak flowmeter mouthpiece to obtain the readings. Readings in the red zone do not indicate good peak flow, and the patient should take a fast-acting bronchodilator and call the health care provider for further instructions. Singulair is not indicated for acute attacks but is used for maintenance therapy.
The nurse develops a teaching plan to help increase activity tolerance at home for an older adult with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Which instructions would be appropriate for the nurse to include in the plan of care? a. Walk until pulse rate exceeds 130 beats/min. b. Stop exercising when you feel short of breath. c. Walk 15 to 20 minutes a day at least 3 times/wk. d. Limit exercise to activities of daily living (ADLs).
Answer: d. Limit exercise to activities of daily living (ADLs). Rationale: Encourage the patient to walk 15 to 20 minutes a day at least three times a week with gradual increases. Shortness of breath is normal with exercise and not an indication that the patient should stop. Limiting exercise to ADLs will not improve the patient's exercise tolerance. A 70-yr-old patient should have a pulse rate of 120 beats/min or less with exercise (80% of the maximal heart rate of 150 beats/min).
A young adult patient with cystic fibrosis (CF) is admitted to the hospital with increased dyspnea. Which intervention should the nurse include in the plan of care? a. Schedule a sweat chloride test. b. Arrange for a hospice nurse visit. c. Place the patient on a low-sodium diet. d. Perform chest physiotherapy every 4 hours.
Answer: d. Perform chest physiotherapy every 4 hours. Rationale: Routine scheduling of airway clearance techniques is an essential intervention for patients with CF. A sweat chloride test is used to diagnose CF, but it does not provide any information about the effectiveness of therapy. There is no indication that the patient is terminally ill. Patients with CF lose excessive sodium in their sweat and require high amounts of dietary sodium.
A patient newly diagnosed with asthma is being discharged. The nurse anticipates including which topic in the discharge teaching? a. Complications associated with O2 therapy. b. Use of long-acting Beta-adrenergic medications. c. Side effects of sustained-release theophylline. d. Self-administration of inhaled corticosteroids.
Answer: d. Self-administration of inhaled corticosteroids. Rationale: Inhaled corticosteroids are more effective in improving asthma than any other drug and are indicated for all patients with persistent asthma. The other therapies would not typically be first-line treatments for newly diagnosed asthma.
