A nurse provides care to a client with COPD, what symptoms does the nurse anticipate? Directions for drag and drop: Click and drag the possible answers from the left box to the right to indicate your answers.
Increased urine output
Sudden onset of shortness of breath
Chest pain that worsens with deep breathing
Muscle weakness
Hypotension
Decreased heart rate
Coughing up blood
Correct Answer : B,C,D,G
A. Increased urine output: COPD primarily affects the respiratory system and gas exchange, not renal function directly. Increased urine output is not a typical symptom of COPD and may indicate other conditions such as diuretic therapy or kidney disease.
B. Sudden onset of shortness of breath: Dyspnea is a hallmark symptom of COPD due to airway obstruction, air trapping, and reduced oxygenation. Acute worsening may indicate an exacerbation or complication such as a pneumothorax or infection.
C. Chest pain that worsens with deep breathing: Pleuritic chest pain can occur in COPD patients, particularly if they develop complications such as pneumothorax, pulmonary embolism, or severe coughing episodes. Pain is often exacerbated by deep inspiration.
D. Muscle weakness: Chronic hypoxia and hypercapnia, along with decreased activity tolerance, can lead to fatigue and generalized muscle weakness in COPD patients. This is common in advanced disease and during exacerbations.
E. Hypotension: COPD itself does not typically cause hypotension. Hypotension may appear only in cases of severe hypoxemia, right-sided heart failure, or shock, which are not standard symptoms.
F. Decreased heart rate: COPD is more commonly associated with tachycardia due to hypoxia and increased work of breathing. Bradycardia is not a typical feature unless there are other cardiac complications.
G. Coughing up blood: Hemoptysis can occur in COPD due to chronic bronchitis, infection, or ruptured bronchial vessels. While not always present, it is a recognized symptom in exacerbations or complications.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Tracheal deviation towards the unaffected side: In tension pneumothorax, air accumulates in the pleural space under pressure, compressing the lung and shifting mediastinal structures. The trachea deviates away from the affected side (toward the unaffected side), which is a hallmark sign, along with hypotension, distended neck veins, and severe respiratory distress.
B. Wheezing breath sounds over the affected area: Wheezing indicates airway narrowing, commonly seen in asthma or bronchospasm. It does not reflect the pathophysiology of tension pneumothorax, which involves lung collapse and mediastinal shift rather than bronchial constriction.
C. Rales breath sounds over the affected area: Rales are fine crackles produced by fluid in the alveoli, typically seen in pulmonary edema or pneumonia. They are not characteristic of a tension pneumothorax, where breath sounds are diminished or absent over the affected side.
D. Tracheal deviation towards the affected side: Tracheal deviation toward the affected side occurs in lung collapse from atelectasis, not tension pneumothorax. In tension pneumothorax, the pressure pushes the mediastinum away from the affected side.
Correct Answer is ["B","C","E"]
Explanation
A. Immediately silence the alarm so the patient can rest: Silencing the alarm without first assessing the cause is unsafe and may delay recognition of life-threatening problems such as airway obstruction, disconnection, or high airway pressures. Ventilator alarms are safety mechanisms designed to alert to changes in ventilation or oxygenation and must never be ignored
B. Check the ventilator tubing connections: Disconnections, kinks, water accumulation, or loose tubing are common causes of ventilator alarms. Inspecting the circuit ensures that the patient remains connected to the ventilator and is receiving prescribed ventilation. A disconnection can rapidly lead to hypoxia, especially in critically ill ICU patients.
C. Assess the client's respiratory status: The priority is always to assess the patient first. Evaluate chest rise, work of breathing, oxygen saturation, breath sounds, and level of consciousness. Determining whether the patient is in distress guides immediate interventions, including manual ventilation if necessary.
D. Adjust the ventilator settings to stop the alarm: Ventilator settings should not be changed independently in response to an alarm without identifying the underlying cause and obtaining appropriate authorization. Arbitrary adjustment may worsen ventilation, cause barotrauma, or mask a serious clinical problem.
E. Call the respiratory therapist: After initial assessment and troubleshooting, involving the respiratory therapist is appropriate for persistent alarms or suspected ventilator malfunction. RTs have specialized expertise in ventilator management and can assist in correcting mechanical or setting-related issues while ensuring safe ventilation.
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