The nurse is caring for a patient with advanced COPD who reports feeling short of breath. The nurse notes that the patient's lung sounds are diminished bilaterally and the patient's pulse oximetry is 91% on 2 L/min oxygen via nasal cannula

What actions will the nurse take to make the patient more comfortable? (Select all that apply.)
a.
Increase the patient's oxygen to 4 L/min via nasal cannula.
b.
Suction the patient's airway using sterile technique.
c.
Maintain eye contact and provide calm reassurance.
d.
Turn the patient onto the side for postural drainage.
e.
Administer the ordered nebulized bronchodilator.
f.
Elevate the head of the patient's bed to fully upright.


ANS: C, E, F
Patients who are acutely short of breath due to advanced COPD will benefit from nebulized bronchodilator medication to open the airways. Elevating the head of the bed will prevent pressure on the diaphragm from the abdominal contents. A caring demeanor with eye contact will help the patient remain calm until the medication begins to work and the shortness of breath is eased. Patients with COPD should be kept on low-flow oxygen to maintain pulse oximetry as close to 90% as possible.

Nursing

You might also like to view...

The bacterium responsible for more diseases than any other organism is:

a. Staphylococcus. b. Pseudomonas aeruginosa. c. Haemophilus influenzae. d. Streptococcus.

Nursing

During an endocrine assessment, the nurse asks specific questions about the patient's employment. What rationale would the nurse provide for this line of questioning?

1. Occupational exposure to some toxic chemicals may be implicated in the development of endocrine disorders. 2. People in occupations that require sitting for long periods are at higher risk for endocrine disorders. 3. People who are exposed to environmental tobacco smoke are at high risk for development of thyroid disorders. 4. People working in occupations requiring lifting are at higher risk for development of adrenal disorders.

Nursing

A client asks the nurse if there are any regulatory controls on herbal or dietary supplements. Which response by the nurse is most appropriate?

1. The Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) regulates herbal and dietary supplements. 2. The Joint Commission (TJC) regulates herbal and dietary supplements. 3. The Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act regulates herbal and dietary supplements. 4. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) regulates herbal and dietary supplements.

Nursing

A trauma patient in the emergency department has a low hemoglobin and hematocrit, and has an order to receive normal saline IV solution. Which nursing diagnosis would be most appropriate regarding the need for administering the IV solution?

1. Activity intolerance 2. Fluid volume deficit 3. Decreased cardiac output 4. Risk for Infection

Nursing