A patient with emphysema is experiencing shortness of breath. To relieve this patient's symptoms, the nurse should assist her into what position?
A) Sitting upright, leaning forward slightly
B) Low Fowler's, with the neck slightly hyperextended
C) Prone
D) Trendelenburg
Ans: A
Feedback:
The typical posture of a person with COPD is to lean forward and use the accessory muscles of respiration to breathe. Low Fowler's positioning would be less likely to aid oxygenation. Prone or Trendelenburg positioning would exacerbate shortness of breath.
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