The nurse is caring for a diabetic client who had a Coronary Angiography two hours ago. Which of the following orders should the nurse question?

A. Increased mucus production blocking the alveoli is incorrect. While mucus production can be an issue in COPD, it is more characteristic of chronic bronchitis rather than emphysema.
B. Infections decreasing ventilation is incorrect. Although infections can worsen emphysema symptoms, they are not the primary cause of chronic hypoxia in these clients.
C. Lack of adequate surface area for aeration is correct. Emphysema leads to alveolar destruction and loss of elasticity, reducing the surface area available for gas exchange, which causes chronic hypoxia.
D. Inflammation of the bronchioles decreasing breathing capacity is incorrect. While airway inflammation is seen in conditions like asthma and chronic bronchitis, emphysema is primarily characterized by alveolar damage rather than airway inflammation.

A. Use of accessory muscles during inspiration is common in COPD as clients work harder to breathe. While this indicates respiratory distress, it is not necessarily an immediate emergency.
B. Large amounts of thick white sputum can indicate mucus production, which is common in COPD. If the sputum were yellow or green, it could suggest infection, requiring further assessment.
C. A barrel chest and clubbing are chronic changes in COPD due to prolonged air trapping and hypoxia. These findings do not require immediate intervention.
D. Oxygen flowmeter set on 8 LPM is correct. High-flow oxygen can suppress the hypoxic drive in COPD clients, leading to respiratory depression. The nurse should immediately lower the oxygen to a safer level (typically 1-3 LPM) and monitor the client’s respiratory status.