Which of the following instructions is appropriate when teaching a dyspneic patient how to breathe effectively?
a. "Take four quick, panting breaths, and then blow out for 6 seconds."
b. "Use deep breathing, and exhale as forcefully as you are able."
c. "Breathe using your abdominal muscles, and blow out slowly through pursed lips."
d. "Hold your breath for 3 seconds after each exhalation to empty all the alveoli."
ANS: C
C. Using abdominal and pursed-lip breathing will help the patient calm down and increase carbon dioxide excretion. A, B, and D have not been shown to improve gas exchange.
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When planning patient care, the nurse utilized the five core competencies that health care professionals should possess to provide quality care in the 21st century. One of these competencies would be:
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