The nurse is preparing to assess a client who has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The client is currently experiencing difficulty breathing. Before palpating the client's abdomen, which action is appropriate by the nurse?

Question

A) Administering 6 L of oxygen to the client
B) Having the client remain upright
C) Placing the client in a modified Sims position
D) Asking the client to bend over a table

Answer 1

Answer: B

Abdomen palpation is usually done in the supine position, but the client with COPD would not tolerate the position well. The nurse should position the client with the head elevated to the point of comfortable breathing to perform the assessment. Having the client lie in the modified Sims position could compromise the client's ability to breathe effectively. A client with COPD who is experiencing dyspnea would not be asked to bend over the table. Administering an additional 6 L of oxygen is an excessive amount of oxygen to give someone with COPD