An adult client, a smoker, has had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) for twelve years. When conducting discharge teaching, what should the nurse advise the client to avoid in order to prevent exacerbation of COPD?

Choice A reason: Demonstrating the use of visual scanning during meals can help the client overcome the difficulty with visual perception, which is a common problem after a CVA. Visual perception is the ability to interpret and process the information received from the eyes. A CVA can damage the parts of the brain that are responsible for visual perception, causing impairments such as hemianopia, neglect, or agnosia. Visual scanning is a technique that involves moving the eyes or the head from side to side to scan the entire visual field and compensate for the missing or distorted information. Visual scanning can help the client see all the food on the tray and eat more adequately.

Choice B reason: Explaining that weight loss will be reversed after the acute phase of the stroke has ended is not a helpful response to the family's concern, as it does not address the current issue of the client's nutritional status. Weight loss is a common complication of CVA, due to factors such as dysphagia, anorexia, depression, or medication side effects. Weight loss can affect the client's recovery, immunity, and quality of life. Weight loss may or may not be reversed after the acute phase of the stroke, depending on the client's condition, treatment, and rehabilitation.

Choice C reason: Suggesting that the family bring foods from home that the client enjoys eating is not a sufficient response to the family's concern, as it does not address the underlying cause of the client's poor intake. The client's difficulty with visual perception may prevent her from seeing or recognizing the food, regardless of whether it is from the hospital or from home. The family should also consider the client's dietary restrictions, allergies, and preferences before bringing any food from home.

Choice D reason: Encouraging the family to offer to feed the client when she does not eat her entire meal is not an appropriate response to the family's concern, as it may undermine the client's autonomy and dignity. The client's difficulty with visual perception may not affect her ability to feed herself, as long as she can see the food and the utensils. The family should respect the client's independence and self-care, and only assist her when necessary. The family should also avoid forcing or coaxing the client to eat more than she wants, as this may cause discomfort or resentment.

Choice A reason: Exposure to persons with pneumonia or chickenpox is not a good idea for anyone, but it is not the main factor that can worsen COPD. COPD is a chronic inflammatory condition that affects the airways and the lungs, and it is mainly caused by smoking or other environmental irritants. Pneumonia and chickenpox are acute infections that can affect the respiratory system, but they are not the primary cause of COPD exacerbation.

Choice B reason: Excessive physical exertion and respiratory tract infections are the most common triggers that can lead to COPD exacerbation, which is a sudden worsening of symptoms, such as shortness of breath, cough, and mucus production. Physical exertion can increase the oxygen demand and the work of breathing, while respiratory infections can cause inflammation and mucus obstruction in the airways. Therefore, the nurse should advise the client to avoid these factors and to seek medical attention if they occur.

Choice C reason: Overdose of albuterol and alcohol consumption are not recommended for anyone, but they are not the main factors that can aggravate COPD. Albuterol is a bronchodilator that can help relax the muscles around the airways and improve breathing, but it can also cause side effects, such as palpitations, tremors, and anxiety, if taken in excess. Alcohol consumption can impair the immune system and the liver function, but it does not directly affect the lungs or the airways.

Choice D reason: Excessive bedrest and lack of exercise are not beneficial for anyone, but they are not the main factors that can exacerbate COPD. Bedrest can lead to muscle weakness and deconditioning, while lack of exercise can reduce the cardiovascular and respiratory fitness. However, these factors do not cause inflammation or obstruction in the airways, which are the main features of COPD. The nurse should encourage the client to maintain a moderate level of physical activity and to follow a pulmonary rehabilitation program if available.