When performing postural drainage on a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which approach should the nurse use?
Obtain arterial blood gases (ABGs) prior to procedure.
Explain that the patient may be placed in five positions.
Perform the drainage immediately after meals.
Instruct the patient to breathe shallow and fast.
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A rationale:
While ABGs can provide valuable information about a patient's respiratory status, they are not routinely required prior to postural drainage in patients with COPD.
ABGs might be considered if the patient is experiencing acute respiratory distress or if there are concerns about their oxygenation or ventilation status.
However, in the absence of such concerns, obtaining ABGs would not be necessary and could potentially cause discomfort or anxiety for the patient.
Choice C rationale:
Performing postural drainage immediately after meals is not recommended for patients with COPD.
This is because eating can cause a feeling of fullness in the stomach, which can make it difficult for the patient to breathe deeply and effectively during the procedure.
Additionally, there is a risk of aspiration if the patient were to vomit during or after postural drainage.
It is generally recommended to perform postural drainage at least 1-2 hours after meals to reduce these risks.
Choice D rationale:
Instructing the patient to breathe shallow and fast is not appropriate for postural drainage.
The goal of postural drainage is to help the patient mobilize and expectorate secretions from the lungs.
This is best achieved by encouraging the patient to breathe deeply and slowly, which helps to open up the airways and promote mucus clearance.
Shallow, rapid breathing can actually make it more difficult to clear secretions and can lead to increased shortness of breath.
Choice B rationale:
Explaining that the patient may be placed in five positions is the most appropriate approach for postural drainage in a patient with COPD.
This is because different positions help to drain different areas of the lungs. The five positions typically used for postural drainage are:
Head down position (to drain the lower lobes)
Prone position (to drain the posterior segments of the lungs)
Right lateral position (to drain the right middle lobe and right lower lobe) Left lateral position (to drain the left lower lobe)
Sitting upright position (to drain the upper lobes)
By placing the patient in these different positions, the nurse can help to ensure that all areas of the lungs are drained effectively.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Incorrect. The kidneys do play a role in acid-base balance, but they primarily eliminate acids other than carbon dioxide. They do not significantly convert carbon dioxide for elimination.
Elaboration: While the kidneys help regulate acid-base balance through reabsorption and excretion of bicarbonate and hydrogen ions, their role in carbon dioxide elimination is minimal. They primarily excrete acids like uric acid, phosphoric acid, and lactic acid.
Choice B rationale:
Incorrect. Hyperventilation would decrease carbon dioxide levels, not contribute to respiratory acidosis. Respiratory acidosis is characterized by elevated carbon dioxide levels.
Elaboration: Hyperventilation leads to rapid and excessive breathing, causing a decrease in carbon dioxide levels in the blood. This can result in respiratory alkalosis, not respiratory acidosis.
Choice C rationale:
Correct. Respiratory acidosis is caused by the accumulation of carbon dioxide in the blood. This can happen due to impaired ventilation, such as in conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pneumonia, or respiratory failure.
Elaboration: Carbon dioxide is produced as a byproduct of cellular metabolism. It is normally removed from the body through exhalation. When ventilation is impaired, carbon dioxide cannot be efficiently eliminated, leading to its buildup in the blood. This excess carbon dioxide reacts with water to form carbonic acid, lowering blood pH and causing respiratory acidosis.
Choice D rationale:
Incorrect. Low blood oxygen levels (hypoxemia) can stimulate the respiratory rate, but this would not directly cause respiratory acidosis. It might lead to hyperventilation, which could potentially cause respiratory alkalosis.
Elaboration: The body's respiratory center in the brainstem regulates breathing based on blood oxygen and carbon dioxide levels. Hypoxemia triggers a compensatory increase in respiratory rate to enhance oxygen intake. However, this response does not directly contribute to respiratory acidosis.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
The correct answer is choice D. Reported history of alcoholism.
Choice A rationale:
Employment as a construction worker is not directly relevant to the administration of terbinafine HCL. While it may affect the client’s overall health and risk of injury, it does not impact the medication’s safety or efficacy.
Choice B rationale:
A white blood cell count of 8,500/mm³ (8.5 x 10³/L) is within the normal range and does not indicate any immediate concern that would affect the administration of terbinafine HCL.
Choice C rationale:
Thick and yellow toenails are typical symptoms of a fungal toenail infection and are the reason for prescribing terbinafine HCL. This finding confirms the diagnosis but does not present a contraindication to the medication.
Choice D rationale:
A reported history of alcoholism is crucial to address because terbinafine HCL can cause liver toxicity. Clients with a history of alcoholism are at higher risk for liver damage, and this must be carefully evaluated before starting the medication.
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