COPD
The major advantage of a Venturi mask is that it can: a. deliver up to 80% O2. b. provide continuous 100% humidity c. deliver a precise concentration of O2. d. be used while a patient eats and sleeps
c. deliver a precise concentration of O2.
A plan of care for the patient with COPD could include (select all that apply): a. exercise such as walking b. high flow rate of O2 administration c. low-dose chronic oral corticosteroid therapy d. use of peak flow meter to monitor the progression of COPD e. breathing exercises such as pursed-lip breathing that focus on exhalation
a & e
A male patient with COPD becomes dyspneic at rest. His baseline blood gas results are PaO2 70 mm Hg, PaCO2 52 mm Hg, and pH 7.34. What updated patient assessment requires the nurse's priority intervention? a) Arterial pH 7.26 b) PaCO2 50 mm Hg c) Patient in tripod position d) Increased sputum expectoration
a) Arterial pH 7.26 The patient's pH shows acidosis that supports an exacerbation of COPD along with the worsening dyspnea. The PaCO2 has improved from baseline, the tripod position helps the patient's breathing, and the increase in sputum expectoration will improve the patient's ventilation.
The nurse determines that the patient is not experiencing adverse effects of albuterol (Proventil) after noting which patient vital sign? a) Pulse rate of 72/minute b) Temperature of 98.4° F c) Oxygen saturation 96% d) Respiratory rate of 18/minute
a) Pulse rate of 72/minute Albuterol is a β2-agonist that can sometimes cause adverse cardiovascular effects. These would include tachycardia and angina. A pulse rate of 72 indicates that the patient did not experience tachycardia as an adverse effect.
The nurse is teaching a patient how to self-administer ipratropium (Atrovent) via a metered dose inhaler (MDI). Which instruction given by the nurse is most appropriate to help the patient learn the proper inhalation technique? a) "Avoid shaking the inhaler before use." b) "Breathe out slowly before positioning the inhaler." c) "Using a spacer should be avoided for this type of medication." d) "After taking a puff, hold the breath for 30 seconds before exhaling."
b) "Breathe out slowly before positioning the inhaler." It is important to breathe out slowly before positioning the inhaler. This allows the patient to take a deeper breath while inhaling the medication, thus enhancing the effectiveness of the dose. The inhaler should be shaken well. A spacer may be used. Holding the breath after the inhalation of medication helps keep the medication in the lungs, but 30 seconds will not be possible for a patient with COPD.
When planning teaching for the patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the nurse understands that what causes the manifestations of the disease? a) An overproduction of the antiprotease α1 -antitrypsin b) Hyperinflation of alveoli and destruction of alveolar walls c) Hypertrophy and hyperplasia of goblet cells in the bronchi d) Collapse and hypoventilation of the terminal respiratory unit
b) Hyperinflation of alveoli and destruction of alveolar walls In COPD there are structural changes that include hyperinflation of alveoli, destruction of alveolar walls, destruction of alveolar capillary walls, narrowing of small airways, and loss of lung elasticity. An autosomal recessive deficiency of antitrypsin may cause COPD. Not all patients with COPD have excess mucus production by the increased number of goblet cells.
When caring for a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the nurse identifies a nursing diagnosis of imbalanced nutrition: less than body requirements after noting a weight loss of 30 lb. Which intervention should the nurse add to the plan of care for this patient? a) Order fruits and fruit juices to be offered between meals. b) Order a high-calorie, high-protein diet with six small meals a day. c) Teach the patient to use frozen meals at home that can be microwaved. d) Provide a high-calorie, high-carbohydrate, nonirritating, frequent feeding diet.
b) Order a high-calorie, high-protein diet with six small meals a day. Because the patient with COPD needs to use greater energy to breathe, there is often decreased oral intake because of dyspnea. A full stomach also impairs the ability of the diaphragm to descend during inspiration, thus interfering with the work of breathing. For these reasons, the patient with COPD should eat six small meals per day taking in a high-calorie, high-protein diet, with non-protein calories divided evenly between fat and carbohydrate. The other interventions will not increase the patient's caloric intake.
The nurse determines that a patient is experiencing common adverse effects from the inhaled corticosteroid beclomethasone (Beclovent) after what occurs? a) Hypertension and pulmonary edema b) Oropharyngeal candidiasis and hoarseness c) Elevation of blood glucose and calcium levels d) Adrenocortical dysfunction and hyperglycemia
b) Oropharyngeal candidiasis and hoarseness Oropharyngeal candidiasis and hoarseness are common adverse effects from the use of inhaled corticosteroids because the medication can lead to overgrowth of organisms and local irritation if the patient does not rinse the mouth following each dose.
A patient with an acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) needs to receive precise amounts of oxygen. Which equipment should the nurse prepare to use? a) Oxygen tent b) Venturi mask c) Nasal cannula d Oxygen-conserving cannula
b) Venturi mask The Venturi mask delivers precise concentrations of oxygen and should be selected whenever this is a priority concern. The other methods are less precise in terms of amount of oxygen delivered.
The effects of cigarette smoking on the respiratory system include: a. hypertrophy of capillaries causing hemoptysis b. hyperplasia of goblet cells and increased production of mucus c. increased proliferationof cilia and decreased clearance of mucus d. proliferation of alveolar macrophages to decrease the risk for infection
b. hyperplasia of goblet cells and increased production of mucus
When teaching the patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) about smoking cessation, what information should be included related to the effects of smoking on the lungs and the increased incidence of pulmonary infections? a) Smoking causes a hoarse voice. b) Cough will become nonproductive. c) Decreased alveolar macrophage function d) Sense of smell is decreased with smoking.
c) Decreased alveolar macrophage function The damage to the lungs includes alveolar macrophage dysfunction that increases the incidence of infections and thus increases patient discomfort and cost to treat the infections. Other lung damage that contributes to infections includes cilia paralysis or destruction, increased mucus secretion, and bronchospasms that lead to sputum accumulation and increased cough. The patient may already be aware of respiratory mucosa damage with hoarseness and decreased sense of smell and taste, but these do not increase the incidence of pulmonary infection.
The nurse evaluates that nursing interventions to promote airway clearance in a patient admitted with COPD are successful based on which finding? a) Absence of dyspnea b) Improved mental status c) Effective and productive coughing d) PaO2 within normal range for the patient
c) Effective and productive coughing Airway clearance is most directly evaluated as successful if the patient can engage in effective and productive coughing. Absence of dyspnea, improved mental status, and PaO2 within normal range for the patient show improved respiratory status but do not evaluate airway clearance.
Nursing assessment findings of jugular venous distention and pedal edema would be indicative of what complication of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)? a) Acute respiratory failure b) Secondary respiratory infection c) Fluid volume excess resulting from cor pulmonale d) Pulmonary edema caused by left-sided heart failure
c) Fluid volume excess resulting from cor pulmonale Cor pulmonale is a right-sided heart failure caused by resistance to right ventricular outflow resulting from lung disease. With failure of the right ventricle, the blood emptying into the right atrium and ventricle would be slowed, leading to jugular venous distention and pedal edema.
The nurse evaluates that a patient is experiencing the expected beneficial effects of ipratropium (Atrovent) after noting which assessment finding? a) Decreased respiratory rate b) Increased respiratory rate c) Increased peak flow readings d) Decreased sputum production
c) Increased peak flow readings Ipratropium is a bronchodilator that should result in increased peak expiratory flow rates (PEFRs).
The nurse teaches pursed lip breathing to a patient who is newly diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The nurse reinforces that this technique will assist respiration by which mechanism? a) Loosening secretions so that they may be coughed up more easily b) Promoting maximal inhalation for better oxygenation of the lungs c) Preventing bronchial collapse and air trapping in the lungs during exhalation d) Increasing the respiratory rate and giving the patient control of respiratory patterns
c) Preventing bronchial collapse and air trapping in the lungs during exhalation The purpose of pursed lip breathing is to slow down the exhalation phase of respiration, which decreases bronchial collapse and subsequent air trapping in the lungs during exhalation. It does not affect secretions, inhalation, or increase the rate of breathing.
Which statement made by the patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) indicates a need for further teaching regarding the use of an ipratropium inhaler? a) "I can rinse my mouth following the two puffs to get rid of the bad taste." b) "I should wait at least 1 to 2 minutes between each puff of the inhaler." c) "Because this medication is not fast-acting, I cannot use it in an emergency if my breathing gets worse." d) "If my breathing gets worse, I should keep taking extra puffs of the inhaler until I can breathe more easily."
d) "If my breathing gets worse, I should keep taking extra puffs of the inhaler until I can breathe more easily." The patient should not just keep taking extra puffs of the inhaler to make breathing easier. Excessive treatment could trigger paradoxical bronchospasm, which would worsen the patient's respiratory status. Rinsing the mouth after the puffs will eliminate a bad taste. Waiting 1 to 2 minutes between each puff will facilitate the effectiveness of the administration. Ipratropium is not used in an emergency for COPD.
A patient has been receiving oxygen per nasal cannula while hospitalized for COPD. The patient asks the nurse whether oxygen use will be needed at home. What is the most appropriate response by the nurse? a) "Long-term home oxygen therapy should be used to prevent respiratory failure." b) "Oxygen will not be needed until or unless you are in the terminal stages of this disease." c) "Long-term home oxygen therapy should be used to prevent heart problems related to COPD." d) "You will not need oxygen until your oxygen saturation drops to 88% and you have symptoms of hypoxia."
d) "You will not need oxygen until your oxygen saturation drops to 88% and you have symptoms of hypoxia." Long-term oxygen therapy in the home will not be considered until the oxygen saturation is less than or equal to 88% and the patient has signs of tissue hypoxia, such as cor pulmonale, erythrocytosis, or impaired mental status. PaO2 less than 55 mm Hg will also allow home oxygen therapy to be considered.
Before discharge, the nurse discusses activity levels with a 61-year-old patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and pneumonia. Which exercise goal is most appropriate once the patient is fully recovered from this episode of illness? a) Slightly increase activity over the current level. b) Swim for 10 min/day, gradually increasing to 30 min/day. c) Limit exercise to activities of daily living to conserve energy. d) Walk for 20 min/day, keeping the pulse rate less than 130 beats/min.
d) Walk for 20 min/day, keeping the pulse rate less than 130 beats/min. The patient will benefit from mild aerobic exercise that does not stress the cardiorespiratory system. The patient should be encouraged to walk for 20 min/day, keeping the pulse rate less than 75% to 80% of maximum heart rate (220 - patient's age).
