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.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Reporting the absence of spontaneous respirations is important, but it is not the priority action. The patient is on mechanical ventilation, so the absence of spontaneous respirations is expected.
Choice B rationale
Encouraging the patient to attempt to breathe on their own is not the priority action. The patient is receiving mechanical ventilation, which means they are likely unable to breathe adequately on their own.
Choice C rationale
Providing passive range-of-motion exercises is important for overall patient mobility and prevention of complications such as deep vein thrombosis, but it is not the priority action in this case.
Choice D rationale
Responding to ventilator alarms is the priority action. Alarms may indicate a change in the patient’s condition or a problem with the ventilator. Immediate response is necessary to ensure the patient’s safety.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Restlessness in a client with a tracheostomy could indicate respiratory distress or hypoxia. It’s important for the nurse to further assess the client’s vital signs, oxygen saturation, and overall appearance.
Choice B rationale
A SaO2 of 92% on 40% humidified oxygen via tracheostomy collar is within the acceptable range for a client with a tracheostomy. However, it’s important to consider the client’s baseline SaO2 and any changes in their condition.
Choice C rationale
Scattered rhonchi throughout the lung fields could indicate secretions in the airways. However, this finding alone does not necessarily indicate a problem with the tracheostomy.
Choice D rationale
Suctioning of thin clear secretions from a tracheostomy is a routine part of tracheostomy care. This finding does not necessarily indicate a problem with the tracheostomy.
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