What nursing intervention enhances the nutritional status of a patient with COPD?
Offer small frequent meals
Encourage extra liquids with meals
Assist the patient to exercise before meals
Supply information about nutrition
The Correct Answer is A
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.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Rest in a supine position.
This option is not recommended for improving gas exchange in emphysema. Resting in a supine position can lead to decreased lung expansion and increased dyspnea in individuals with emphysema. Optimal lung expansion is crucial for efficient gas exchange, and certain positions, such as sitting upright or using pillows to support the head and chest, are preferred to facilitate breathing.
B. Consume a low-protein diet.
A low-protein diet is not directly related to improving gas exchange in emphysema. In fact, adequate protein intake is important for maintaining overall health and supporting respiratory muscle function. Protein is necessary for tissue repair and maintaining muscle strength, including the respiratory muscles. Therefore, a balanced diet that includes adequate protein intake is recommended for individuals with emphysema.
C. Breathe in through her nose and out through pursed lips.
This is the correct choice. Breathing in through the nose and out through pursed lips helps to create positive pressure in the airways during exhalation. This positive pressure helps to keep the airways open, prevents premature collapse of the air sacs (alveoli), and facilitates more effective gas exchange. It also slows down the rate of breathing, reduces the work of breathing, and can alleviate shortness of breath (dyspnea) in individuals with emphysema.
D. Limit fluid intake throughout the day.
Limiting fluid intake throughout the day is not recommended for improving gas exchange in emphysema. Adequate hydration is important for thinning respiratory secretions, which can make it easier to clear mucus from the airways. Dehydration can worsen respiratory symptoms and increase the risk of complications. Therefore, maintaining adequate fluid intake is essential for individuals with emphysema.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Auscultate breath sounds at least every 2 hours.
Regularly auscultating breath sounds is important for assessing respiratory status and detecting any signs of respiratory complications such as pneumonia or atelectasis. However, it is not the priority action in this scenario compared to applying antiembolic stockings, which directly addresses the increased risk of DVT and PE associated with immobility.
B. Perform range-of-motion exercises at least two to three times daily.
Range-of-motion exercises help prevent contractures and maintain joint mobility in immobile clients. While they are important for preventing musculoskeletal complications, they are not the priority action compared to applying antiembolic stockings, which directly addresses the increased risk of DVT and PE associated with immobility.
C. Make sure the client has an intake of 2,000 to 3,000 mL of fluid per day.
Maintaining adequate hydration is important for overall health and prevention of complications such as urinary tract infections and constipation. However, it is not the priority action in this scenario compared to applying antiembolic stockings, which directly addresses the increased risk of DVT and PE associated with immobility.
D. Apply antiembolic stockings.
The priority action for the nurse to contribute to the plan of care for an immobile client is to apply antiembolic stockings. Immobility increases the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and subsequent pulmonary embolism (PE). Antiembolic stockings (also known as compression stockings or TED stockings) help prevent venous stasis and decrease the risk of blood clots forming in the lower extremities. Therefore, applying antiembolic stockings is essential in mitigating the risk of potentially life-threatening complications associated with immobility.
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