The patient with emphysema comes to the emergency department with difficulty breathing. What finding should the nurse anticipate during data collection? Select all that apply
diminished breath sounds
ruddy skin color
use of accessory muscles
excess mucus production
barrel shaped chest
Correct Answer : A,C,E
A. Diminished breath sounds can occur in emphysema due to decreased air movement through damaged and enlarged air sacs (alveoli). The destruction of alveolar walls reduces the surface area available for gas exchange and can result in decreased breath sounds.
C. Patients with emphysema may use accessory muscles, such as neck and shoulder muscles, to assist with breathing during periods of respiratory distress. These muscles are recruited to help increase the size of the thoracic cavity and improve airflow.
E. A barrel-shaped chest is a common physical finding in patients with emphysema. It results from hyperinflation of the lungs and is characterized by an increased anterior-posterior diameter of the chest. This change in chest shape is due to air trapping in the lungs, leading to overinflation of the alveoli and increased residual volume.
B. Ruddy skin color, which refers to a reddish or flushed complexion, is not typically associated with emphysema. Instead, patients with emphysema may exhibit cyanosis (bluish discoloration of the skin) during periods of hypoxemia (low oxygen levels).
D. Excess mucus production (mucus hypersecretion) is a characteristic feature of chronic bronchitis, which is often present alongside emphysema in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) but it is not typically a primary feature of emphysema itself.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Diabetes can lead to damage of blood vessels throughout the body, both large and small. Complications can affect various organs and systems, including the heart, kidneys, eyes, and nerves. Damage to both large vessels (macrovascular complications) and tiny vessels (microvascular complications) contributes to the diverse range of complications associated with diabetes.
B. Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes increase the risk of long-term complications, but the specific risks and patterns of complications may differ between the two types. While individuals with type 1 diabetes may face challenges in achieving tight glycemic control due to the complete absence of endogenous insulin production, tight control can significantly reduce the risk of complications in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
C. Lower HbA1c levels indicate better overall glycemic control and are associated with reduced risk of long-term complications. However, achieving tight glycemic control should be balanced with the risk of hypoglycemia and individual patient factors.
D. Hypoglycemia can also lead to increased risk of cardiovascular events and mortality in individuals with diabetes. Therefore, it is important to balance glycemic control to minimize the risk of hypoglycemia while also reducing the risk of hyperglycemia-related complications.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. This range is generally considered acceptable for most patients with COPD. It provides a balance between ensuring adequate oxygenation while avoiding the risk of oxygen toxicity. Oxygen saturation levels within this range can help alleviate symptoms of hypoxemia without causing hyperoxia.
B. Oxygen saturation levels below 90% can lead to significant hypoxemia and exacerbate respiratory distress in individuals with COPD. Maintaining oxygen saturation levels above 90% is typically recommended to prevent complications associated with hypoxemia.
C. This range is appropriate for some patients but it may not be ideal for all patients with COPD. Oxygen saturation levels at the higher end of this range (e.g., 100%) can increase the risk of oxygen toxicity in patients with COPD who retain carbon dioxide (CO2) due to their chronic respiratory condition.
D. Oxygen saturation levels within this range help to balance the need for oxygen supplementation with the risk of hyperoxia and oxygen toxicity. However, individual patient factors, such as the severity of COPD, baseline oxygen saturation levels, and comorbidities, should be considered when determining the target range for oxygen saturation.
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