A nurse is caring for a client diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Which precaution should the nurse prioritize when administering nasal oxygen therapy to the client?
Encourage the client to take breaks from oxygen use to prevent tolerance.
Maintain nasal oxygen at a 1 to 2 liter/minute flow rate.
Assess cheeks and posterior ears for signs of skin breakdown.
Teach the client how to safely increase oxygen flow when they deem necessary.
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A rationale
While it is important to monitor oxygen use to prevent hypoxia and hypercapnia, taking breaks from oxygen use is not typically recommended for clients with COPD. These clients often require supplemental oxygen to maintain adequate oxygen saturation.
Choice B rationale
Maintaining a low flow rate of oxygen is crucial in clients with COPD. These clients are often “CO2 retainers,” and administering a high concentration of oxygen can suppress their respiratory drive, leading to further CO2 retention and respiratory distress.
Choice C rationale
While it is important to assess for signs of skin breakdown in clients receiving oxygen therapy, this is not the priority when administering nasal oxygen to a client with COPD38.
Choice D rationale
Clients should not adjust their oxygen flow rate without medical supervision. Increasing the oxygen flow rate can lead to hyperoxia, which can be harmful, especially in clients with COPD who are CO2 retainers.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale
While it’s important to reassure the patient, saying “It’s uncertain if your smoking led to the cancer” might be misleading. Smoking is a major risk factor for lung cancer, but it’s also true that not everyone who smokes gets lung cancer, and not everyone who gets lung cancer has smoked.
Choice B rationale
This response validates the patient’s feelings and opens up a dialogue about their specific fears. It allows the nurse to provide targeted education and reassurance.
Choice C rationale
Asking “Do you feel guilty because you used to smoke?” might make the patient feel more guilty or judged. It’s better to provide support and understanding.
Choice D rationale
While it’s true that fear is a normal reaction and that the healthcare team is there to support the patient, this response doesn’t address the patient’s specific concerns or feelings of guilt.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale
While medication errors are indeed considered adverse events, this statement does not fully capture the scope of patient safety and prevention of harm.
Choice B rationale
Errors of execution are usually unintentional, not intentional. They often occur due to system failures rather than time or resource constraints.
Choice C rationale
It is estimated that as many as 90% of medication errors are preventable. This highlights the importance of safety measures and protocols in healthcare settings to prevent harm to patients.
Choice D rationale
Poorly coordinated care and nosocomial infections are examples of errors, but they represent only a fraction of the potential safety issues in healthcare.
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