A nurse is admitting a new patient who has been admitted with a diagnosis of COPD exacerbation. How can the nurse best help the patient achieve the goal of maintaining effective oxygenation?

Question

A) Teach the patient strategies for promoting diaphragmatic breathing.
B) Administer supplementary oxygen by simple face mask.
C) Teach the patient to perform airway suctioning.
D) Assist the patient in developing an appropriate exercise program.

Answer 1

Ans: A
Feedback:
The breathing pattern of most people with COPD is shallow, rapid, and inefficient; the more severe the disease, the more inefficient the breathing pattern. With practice, this type of upper chest breathing can be changed to diaphragmatic breathing, which reduces the respiratory rate, increases alveolar ventilation, and sometimes helps expel as much air as possible during expiration. Suctioning is not normally necessary in patients with COPD. Supplementary oxygen is not normally delivered by simple face mask and exercise may or may not be appropriate.