A nurse is assessing a client who has COPD. The nurse should expect the client's chest to be which of the following shapes?

A. Call emergency services for the client: While difficulty breathing is a concerning symptom, the immediate priority is to assess the client's respiratory status to determine the cause and appropriate interventions. Calling emergency services may be necessary based on the assessment findings, but assessment comes first.

B. Increase the oxygen flow to 3 L/min: Adjusting oxygen flow may be part of the intervention, but it should be based on a comprehensive assessment of the client's respiratory status. Simply increasing the oxygen flow without a thorough assessment may not address the underlying issue.

C. Have the client cough and expectorate secretions: This action may be appropriate if the client is experiencing difficulty breathing due to increased bronchial secretions. However, assessment is needed to determine the cause of the difficulty breathing before implementing interventions.

D. Assess the client's respiratory status: This is the correct answer. Assessment is the priority when a client with COPD on oxygen reports difficulty breathing. The nurse should gather information about the client's respiratory rate, effort, oxygen saturation, lung sounds, and overall respiratory distress to determine the appropriate course of action.

A. Myringotomy: Myringotomy is a procedure involving the insertion of tubes into the eardrum to treat conditions such as chronic ear infections. This procedure is not associated with a significant risk of deep-vein thrombosis.

B. Hip arthroplasty: Hip arthroplasty, or hip replacement surgery, is associated with an increased risk of deep-vein thrombosis due to factors such as immobility, surgical trauma, and alterations in blood flow. Prophylactic measures, such as anticoagulant medications and early ambulation, are often employed to reduce this risk.

C. Cataract extraction: Cataract extraction is a procedure to remove a cloudy lens from the eye. This surgery is not typically associated with a high risk of deep-vein thrombosis.

D. Laparoscopic appendectomy: Laparoscopic appendectomy, a minimally invasive procedure to remove the appendix, is generally associated with a lower risk of deep-vein thrombosis compared to major orthopedic surgeries like hip arthroplasty.