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.
Nursing Test Bank
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 C
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Cranberry juice causing bad breath is not a well-known side effect or outcome associated with its consumption. This information is not a commonly taught aspect of cranberry juice use.
Choice B rationale:
Bloating is not a common or widely recognized outcome of drinking cranberry juice. While cranberry juice might have some gastrointestinal effects, bloating is not a significant concern associated with its consumption.
Choice C rationale:
Informing the client that drinking cranberry juice daily can prevent recurrent urinary tract infections is accurate. Cranberry juice is often recommended for its potential to reduce the risk of urinary tract infections due to its anti-adhesive properties that may inhibit the adherence of bacteria to the urinary tract.
Choice D rationale:
Cranberry juice's effect on lowering cholesterol is not a well-established benefit of its consumption. Cholesterol management typically involves dietary changes, exercise, and sometimes medications, but cranberry juice is not a primary intervention for this purpose.
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