A nurse is assessing a client who has asthma and signs of central cyanosis. Which of the following is a reliable indicator of cyanosis?

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.

A. Acute bronchospasm:

Albuterol (Proventil) is commonly used to treat acute bronchospasm, which is characterized by sudden constriction of the muscles surrounding the airways. This constriction leads to narrowing of the air passages, making it difficult to breathe. Albuterol works as a bronchodilator by relaxing these muscles, thereby opening up the airways and relieving symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness. It is commonly used to manage conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and bronchitis, where bronchospasm is a prominent feature.

B. Acute allergies:

Albuterol (Proventil) is not typically used to treat acute allergies. While it can help alleviate symptoms such as wheezing and shortness of breath that may occur as a result of allergic reactions affecting the airways, its primary indication is for bronchospasm associated with respiratory conditions like asthma and COPD. Antihistamines and corticosteroids are more commonly used to manage allergic reactions and their associated symptoms.

C. Nasal congestion:

Albuterol (Proventil) is not indicated for the treatment of nasal congestion. Nasal congestion primarily involves swelling and inflammation of the nasal passages, which are not directly affected by albuterol. Decongestants such as pseudoephedrine or nasal corticosteroids are typically used to relieve nasal congestion by reducing inflammation and swelling in the nasal passages.

D. Dyspnea on exertion:

Albuterol (Proventil) may help alleviate dyspnea (shortness of breath) on exertion, particularly if it is caused by bronchospasm or exercise-induced bronchoconstriction. By relaxing the muscles around the airways, albuterol can improve airflow and ease breathing difficulties associated with exertion. However, it is important to note that albuterol is primarily indicated for the treatment of acute bronchospasm rather than dyspnea on exertion unrelated to bronchospasm. Other interventions, such as oxygen therapy or addressing underlying cardiovascular conditions, may be necessary to manage dyspnea on exertion in those cases.