What nursing intervention enhances the nutritional status of a patient with COPD?

A. Acute bronchospasm:

Albuterol (Proventil) is commonly used to treat acute bronchospasm, which is characterized by sudden constriction of the muscles surrounding the airways. This constriction leads to narrowing of the air passages, making it difficult to breathe. Albuterol works as a bronchodilator by relaxing these muscles, thereby opening up the airways and relieving symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness. It is commonly used to manage conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and bronchitis, where bronchospasm is a prominent feature.

B. Acute allergies:

Albuterol (Proventil) is not typically used to treat acute allergies. While it can help alleviate symptoms such as wheezing and shortness of breath that may occur as a result of allergic reactions affecting the airways, its primary indication is for bronchospasm associated with respiratory conditions like asthma and COPD. Antihistamines and corticosteroids are more commonly used to manage allergic reactions and their associated symptoms.

C. Nasal congestion:

Albuterol (Proventil) is not indicated for the treatment of nasal congestion. Nasal congestion primarily involves swelling and inflammation of the nasal passages, which are not directly affected by albuterol. Decongestants such as pseudoephedrine or nasal corticosteroids are typically used to relieve nasal congestion by reducing inflammation and swelling in the nasal passages.

D. Dyspnea on exertion:

Albuterol (Proventil) may help alleviate dyspnea (shortness of breath) on exertion, particularly if it is caused by bronchospasm or exercise-induced bronchoconstriction. By relaxing the muscles around the airways, albuterol can improve airflow and ease breathing difficulties associated with exertion. However, it is important to note that albuterol is primarily indicated for the treatment of acute bronchospasm rather than dyspnea on exertion unrelated to bronchospasm. Other interventions, such as oxygen therapy or addressing underlying cardiovascular conditions, may be necessary to manage dyspnea on exertion in those cases.

A. Saving the sputum specimen in a clean container.

While it is important to collect the sputum specimen in a clean, sterile container, simply saving the specimen in a clean container is not sufficient. The nurse needs to actively collect the sputum specimen from the client using proper technique to ensure that it is not contaminated and is suitable for laboratory analysis.

B. Collecting the sputum specimen after a meal.

Collecting a sputum specimen after a meal is not recommended, as it can increase the likelihood of contamination with food particles. It's preferable to collect the specimen before meals or at least 1-2 hours after eating to minimize the risk of contamination and ensure the integrity of the specimen.

C. Rinse the client's mouth before collecting the specimen.

When obtaining a sputum specimen from a client, it's important for the nurse to plan to rinse the client's mouth before collecting the specimen. Rinsing the mouth with water helps to clear any food particles or debris from the oral cavity, ensuring that the sputum sample collected is not contaminated with saliva or food particles. This improves the quality and accuracy of the specimen for laboratory analysis.

D. Obtaining the specimen from the client in the evening.

The timing of specimen collection is not necessarily restricted to the evening. The timing may vary depending on the client's condition and the healthcare provider's orders. It's important to follow the healthcare provider's instructions regarding the timing of specimen collection, which may be based on factors such as the client's symptoms and the diagnostic requirements.