A Medical-Surgical nurse is performing an assessment on a client with a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Which of the following findings will the nurse most likely observe?
Unequal chest expansion.
Atrophied neck and trapezius muscle.
Increased tactile fremitus.
An anterior-to-posterior chest diameter ratio of 1:1.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A rationale:
Unequal chest expansion is the correct choice. In a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the airways are often narrowed and obstructed, leading to difficulty in moving air in and out of the lungs. This can result in unequal chest expansion during breathing, where one side of the chest expands less than the other. This finding is commonly observed in patients with COPD due to the imbalance in lung function between different areas of the lungs.
Choice B rationale:
Atrophied neck and trapezius muscle is not a typical finding in COPD. Muscle atrophy can occur in conditions of prolonged disuse or immobility, but it is not a characteristic manifestation of COPD itself.
Choice C rationale:
Increased tactile fremitus refers to increased vibrations felt on the chest wall during speech. This finding is more commonly associated with conditions that cause lung consolidation, such as pneumonia. In COPD, there is often air trapping and hyperinflation of the lungs, which would not lead to increased tactile fremitus.
Choice D rationale:
An anterior-to-posterior chest diameter ratio of 1:1 is not a typical finding in a healthy individual, let alone in a patient with COPD. In COPD, there is often an increase in the anterior-to-posterior chest diameter ratio, giving the chest a barrel-like appearance. This is due to the trapped air and hyperinflation of the lungs, which is characteristic of the disease.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Helping the client select a low-salt diet is not directly related to addressing tenacious bronchial secretions. While a low-salt diet might have some implications for overall cardiovascular health, it doesn't specifically address the issue of secretions in the lungs.
Choice B rationale:
Encouraging the client to drink 2 to 3 L of water daily is generally beneficial for maintaining hydration and thinning mucus secretions. However, it doesn't directly address the problem of not being able to bring up secretions. Other interventions are more suitable for that issue.
Choice C rationale:
Administering oxygen via nasal cannula at 2 L/min can provide respiratory support, but it doesn't directly address the problem of tenacious bronchial secretions. Oxygen therapy primarily aims to improve oxygenation, not facilitate mucus clearance.
Choice D rationale:
This is the correct choice. Maintaining a semi-Fowler's position (head of the bed elevated to approximately 30-45 degrees) can help improve lung expansion and facilitate drainage of bronchial secretions. This position helps to reduce the pooling of secretions in the airways, making it easier for the client to cough and bring up the mucus.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
The choice "Pigeon" is not the correct answer. Pigeon chest, also known as pectus carinatum, is a deformity of the chest characterized by a protrusion of the sternum and ribs. This condition is not associated with chronic bronchitis.
Choice B rationale:
The choice "Funnel" is not the correct answer. Funnel chest, or pectus excavatum, is a deformity where the sternum is sunken into the chest. It is not the expected chest shape in chronic bronchitis.
Choice C rationale:
The choice "Kyphotic" is not the correct answer. Kyphosis refers to an excessive outward curvature of the thoracic spine, leading to a rounded upper back appearance. This is not the typical chest shape seen in chronic bronchitis.
Choice D rationale:
The correct answer is "Barrel." Choice D is the correct answer. Chronic bronchitis is a type of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) characterized by airway inflammation and narrowing. Over time, this can lead to air trapping in the lungs and an increase in the anteroposterior diameter of the chest. This results in a barrel-shaped chest appearance, where the chest appears rounded and the ribs are more horizontal. This adaptation allows for increased lung capacity to accommodate for the compromised airflow in patients with chronic bronchitis.
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