A nurse is reinforcing teaching for a client who presents with a pulmonary embolism. Which of the following information should the nurse provide?

A. Offer small frequent meals

Offering small, frequent meals is beneficial for patients with COPD because it helps overcome the challenges associated with dyspnea and fatigue. Large meals can cause discomfort and increase the effort required for breathing, which can exacerbate respiratory symptoms. By providing smaller, more manageable portions of food throughout the day, patients with COPD can maintain their energy levels and meet their nutritional needs without experiencing excessive respiratory distress.

B. Encourage extra liquids with meals

Encouraging extra liquids with meals can help prevent dehydration and thin respiratory secretions, making it easier for patients with COPD to manage their respiratory symptoms. However, excessive fluid intake can also lead to feelings of fullness and discomfort, especially in patients with compromised lung function. Therefore, while it's important to encourage adequate hydration, particularly during meals, it's also essential to balance fluid intake to avoid exacerbating respiratory symptoms.

C. Assist the patient to exercise before meals

While regular exercise is beneficial for overall health and can help improve respiratory function in patients with COPD, exercising immediately before meals may not be practical or advisable for all patients. Patients with COPD may experience fatigue and dyspnea during physical activity, which can affect their ability to eat and digest food effectively. Additionally, exercising before meals may increase energy expenditure and exacerbate respiratory symptoms, making it more challenging for patients to consume an adequate amount of nutrients. Instead, patients with COPD may benefit from engaging in light physical activity or respiratory exercises at a different time of day to improve their respiratory function and overall well-being.

D. Supply information about nutrition

Providing information about nutrition is essential for patients with COPD to help them make healthy dietary choices and manage their condition effectively. However, simply supplying information may not be sufficient to enhance the nutritional status of patients with COPD. It's important to offer practical guidance and support, such as meal planning tips, dietary modifications, and strategies for overcoming barriers to healthy eating. Additionally, individualized dietary counseling from a registered dietitian can be beneficial for patients with COPD to address specific nutritional needs and preferences.

A. Notify the provider.

This choice suggests involving the healthcare provider immediately. While notifying the provider might eventually be necessary if the issue persists, it's not the initial action in this scenario. The nurse should first assess and troubleshoot the situation before escalating it to the provider.

B. Verify that the suction regulator is on.

This is the correct choice. When there is no bubbling in the suction control chamber of a chest tube, it may indicate that suction is not being applied properly. Verifying that the suction regulator is turned on and set to the correct level ensures that suction is being delivered to the chest tube.

C. Continue to monitor the client because this is an expected finding.

This choice is incorrect. The absence of bubbling in the suction control chamber is not an expected finding and suggests a potential problem with the suction system. Ignoring this finding without taking any action could lead to complications for the client.

D. Milk the chest tube to dislodge any clots in the tubing that may be occluding it.

Milking the chest tube is a technique used to maintain patency and promote drainage in chest tubes, but it should not be the first action when there is no bubbling in the suction control chamber. This action does not address the underlying issue of inadequate suction and may not be appropriate without first ensuring that suction is functioning correctly.