The nurse is assigned to care for a client admitted to the hospital with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Which medication does the nurse anticipate to decrease this client’s risk for developing a respiratory infection?

Giving a report to a provider in SBAR format is not related to one of the National Patient Safety Goals (NPSGs). The NPSGs are a set of standards developed by The Joint Commission to improve patient safety andquality of care. They address specific areas of concern such as infection prevention, medication safety, patient identification, communication, and alarm management.

Choice A is wrong because refraining from changing alarm settings is related to NPSG 06.01.01, which aims to improve the safety of clinical alarm systems. Choice B is wrong because using 2 patient identifiers for medication administration is related to NPSG 01.01.01, which aims to improve the accuracy of patient identification.

Choice D is wrong because arriving 15 minutes prior to the start of the shift is related to NPSG 02.03.01, which aims to improve the effectiveness of communication among caregivers.

This is because people with COPD are more likely to catch respiratory infections such as colds, flu and pneumonia, which can worsen their symptoms and cause further lung damage. An influenza vaccine can help prevent flu and reduce the risk of complications.

Choice B. A broad-spectrum antibiotic is wrong because antibiotics are only effective against bacterial infections, not viral ones. Antibiotics are usually prescribed for COPD exacerbations caused by bacterial infections, but not for prevention.

Choice C. A bronchodilator is wrong because bronchodilators are medications that relax the muscles around the airways and make breathing easier. They are used to treat the symptoms of COPD, but they do not prevent respiratory infections.

Choice D. A corticosteroid is wrong because corticosteroids are anti inflammatory drugs that reduce swelling and mucus production in the airways. They are also used to treat the symptoms of COPD, but they do not prevent respiratory infections. In fact, long-term use of corticosteroids may increase the risk of infections by suppressing the immune system.