The family member of a 73-year-old patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is concerned about the patient's recent weight loss
When questioned by the nurse, the patient denies any change in diet or activity, but admits to losing 10 lb in the past 6 weeks. What is the nurse's best response to the family member's concern? a. "Maybe the patient has a higher metabolic rate than you."
b. "It doesn't seem fair that some people can lose weight so easily."
c. "This disease affects the respiratory sys-tem and causes the body to burn more calories to supply the energy to breathe."
d. "You need to discuss this with the health care provider so testing can be ordered for tuberculosis."
C
A patient with chronic lung disease usually requires a diet higher in calories because of the in-creased work of breathing. Inadequate nutrition occurs when nutritional intake does not meet nutritional needs. Without essential nutrients, a patient may experience respiratory muscle wasting, resulting in decreased muscle strength and respiratory excursion. One symptom of tuberculosis is rapid weight loss, which is not appropriate based on the question. The effort of breathing, not metabolic rate, is the reason for the weight loss. Saying that it doesn't seem fair does not address the family member's concern.
You might also like to view...
A client who has Parkinson's disease has a nursing diagnosis of Self-care deficit related to immobility, tremors, and bradykinesia. Which nursing intervention is appropriate?
a. Teach the client's family to administer cleansing enemas. b. Limit client attempts at self-care, since this activity tires the client. c. Perform personal care activities for the client. d. Teach the client and family methods to increase the client's ability to perform self-care.
The nurse is caring for pediatric clients on an oncology unit. The unit is experiencing a renovation, and the nurse manager is requesting suggestions for placement of the nurse's station with the goal of close pediatric client access
Which type of leadership style is the nurse manager employing? A) Political leadership style B) Democratic leadership style C) Laissez-faire leadership style D) Authoritarian leadership style
The client tells her nurse that she experiences ear ringing at night. What is the nurse's first response?
A. "Do you have ringing in both ears or just one?" B. "What medications do you take on a regular basis?" C. "Tell me exactly how you routinely clean your ears." D. "Has anyone in your family ever suffered from tinnitus?"
A patient is demonstrating signs of exophthalmos. What additional finding should the nurse expect to assess in this patient?
1. enlarged thyroid gland 2. dry, thick nails 3. dry skin 4. decreased reflexes