A home health nurse visits a client who has COPD and receives oxygen at 2 L/min via nasal cannula. The client reports difficulty breathing.
Which of the following actions is the nurse’s priority?

Call emergency services for the client.

Increase the oxygen flow to 3 L/min.

Have the client cough and expectorate secretions.

Assess the client’s respiratory status.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

This is the nurse’s priority because it will help determine the severity of the client’s difficulty breathing and guide the appropriate interventions. According to the Mayo Clinic, oxygen therapy for COPD is indicated when there is not enough oxygen in the blood, which can be measured by a pulse oximeter or a blood gas test. Increasing the oxygen flow without assessing the oxygen level could be harmful or ineffective. Having the client cough and expectorate secretions may help clear the airway, but it is not the first action to take. Calling emergency services may be necessary if the client’s condition is life threatening, but it should not be done before assessing the respiratory status.

Choice A is wrong because it does not address the immediate need of assessing the respiratory status and may cause unnecessary panic or delay in treatment.

Choice B is wrong because it does not follow the guidelines for oxygen therapy for COPD, which require a prescription and monitoring of oxygen levels.

Increasing the oxygen flow without assessing the oxygen level could cause oxygen toxicity or suppress the respiratory drive.

Choice C is wrong because it is not the most urgent action to take.

Having the client cough and expectorate secretions may help clear the airway, but it may also increase the work of breathing and worsen hypoxia.

Assessing the respiratory status should come first.

Normal ranges for oxygen saturation are 95% to 100% for healthy individuals and 88% to 92% for most people with COPD. Normal ranges for blood gas tests vary depending on the laboratory, but generally, normal values for arterial blood gas are: pH 7.35 to 7.45, PaCO2 35 to 45 mm Hg, PaO2 80 to 100 mm Hg, HCO3 22 to 26 mEq/L.

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Pursed-lip breathing is a technique that helps to slow down the breathing rate and keep the airways open longer. This improves gas exchange and reduces the work of breathing. Pursed-lip breathing also helps to prevent air trapping and hyperinflation of the lungs, which are common complications of COPD.

Choice B is wrong because laying down for 1 hour after meals can increase the pressure on the diaphragm and make breathing more difficult. It can also increase the risk of aspiration and reflux.

Choice C is wrong because restricting the client’s fluid intake to less than 1 L/day can lead to dehydration and thickening of secretions, which can obstruct the airways and impair gas exchange. Fluid intake should be adequate to maintain hydration and thin secretions.

Choice D is wrong because using the upper chest for respiration is a sign of inefficient breathing and respiratory distress.

It can increase the oxygen demand and cause fatigue. The client should be encouraged to use the diaphragm and abdominal muscles for respiration, which are more efficient and reduce the work of breathing.

Normal ranges for oxygen saturation are 95% to 100%, for arterial blood gas pH are 7.35 to 7.45, for PaCO2 are 35 to 45 mmHg, for PaO2 are 80 to 100 mmHg, and for HCO3 are 22 to 26 mEq/L.

A. Not caused by a primary condition. B. Recent exposure to influenza. C. Unrefreshed after adequate sleep. D. Not relieved by stress reduction. E. Severe tiredness for 2 months or more.

Correct Answer is ["A","C","D","E"]

Explanation

These are some of the criteria used to assist in making the diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) according to the Institute of Medicine (IOM) 2015 report.

Choice B is wrong because recent exposure to influenza is not a criterion for CFS diagnosis. Although some cases of CFS may be triggered by viral infections, such as Epstein-Barr virus or human herpes virus 6, there is no specific evidence that influenza causes CFS.

Choice A is correct because CFS is not caused by a primary condition. CFS is a diagnosis of exclusion, meaning that other possible causes of fatigue, such as sleep disorders, anemia, diabetes, thyroid problems, or mental health issues, must be ruled out before making the diagnosis.

Choice C is correct because unrefreshing sleep is one of the required symptoms for CFS diagnosis. Patients with CFS may not feel better or less tired even after a full night of sleep despite the absence of specific objective sleep alterations. Choice D is correct because fatigue that is not relieved by stress reduction is another required symptom for CFS diagnosis. Patients with CFS experience post-exertional malaise (PEM), which means that their symptoms worsen after physical, mental, or emotional exertion that would not have caused a problem before the illness.

Choice E is correct because severe tiredness for 2 months or more is one of the additional manifestations that must be present for CFS diagnosis. The IOM 2015 report states that the fatigue associated with CFS must last for more than 6 months and occur at least half the time at moderate, substantial or severe intensity.

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A home health nurse visits a client who has COPD and receives oxygen at 2 L/min via nasal cannula. The client reports difficulty breathing. Which of the following actions is the nurse’s priority?

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A home health nurse visits a client who has COPD and receives oxygen at 2 L/min via nasal cannula. The client reports difficulty breathing.
Which of the following actions is the nurse’s priority?