The nurse provides care to a patient who is diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The patient's pulse oximetry is 93% on room air with a current respiratory rate of 35 breaths per minute. The most recent chest x-ray indicates a flattened diaphragm with infiltrates. The patient is currently febrile with an increased number of white blood cells (WBCs) noted on the latest complete blood count (CBC). Which order does the nurse question for this patient based on the current data?
Chest physiotherapy (CPT) every 4 hours while awake
Oxygen therapy via nasal cannula at 3 to 4 L/min
Add humidification to the oxygen source
Raise the head of the patient's bed
The Correct Answer is A
A. Chest physiotherapy (CPT) every 4 hours while awake. CPT is used to mobilize secretions but may be too aggressive for a patient with infiltrates and respiratory distress, as it can increase fatigue and worsen respiratory status.
B. Oxygen therapy via nasal cannula at 3 to 4 L/min. Low-flow oxygen therapy is often used in COPD to prevent hypoxemia while avoiding CO₂ retention.
C. Add humidification to the oxygen source. Humidified oxygen helps prevent airway dryness and improves secretion clearance, which is beneficial for COPD patients.
D. Raise the head of the patient's bed. Elevating the head of the bed promotes lung expansion and improves oxygenation, making this an appropriate intervention.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Ensure an NPO status is maintained for the length of the prescribed treatment: While some ventilated patients are NPO, others receive enteral feeding. NPO status alone does not prevent aspiration.
B. Perform chest physiotherapy as prescribed by the practitioner: Chest physiotherapy helps clear secretions but does not directly reduce aspiration risk.
C. Limit each suctioning event to no more than 10 seconds: While limiting suction time is important to avoid hypoxia, it does not directly prevent aspiration.
D. Elevate the head of the bed between 30 to 45 degrees: Keeping the head of the bed elevated reduces the risk of aspiration, partic
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. A client who is taking a thiazide diuretic: Thiazide diuretics promote loss of potassium and hydrogen ions, leading to metabolic alkalosis rather than acidosis.
B. A client who has salicylate intoxication: Early salicylate toxicity causes respiratory alkalosis, though severe cases can progress to metabolic acidosis.
C. A client who has diarrhea: Chronic diarrhea leads to excessive bicarbonate loss, resulting in metabolic acidosis.
D. A client who is vomiting: Vomiting leads to loss of stomach acid (HCl), which causes metabolic alkalosis, not acidosis.
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