Diagnosis and treatment
Diagnosis and treatment ( 6 Questions)
A nurse is caring for a client who has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and is receiving oxygen therapy via nasal cannula at 2 L/min. The nurse observes that the client's oxygen saturation level is 88%. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
This is incorrect as it can cause oxygen toxicity and suppress the respiratory drive, leading to respiratory failure.
This is incorrect as it can increase the work of breathing and cause fatigue and dyspnea in clients who have COPD.
This is incorrect as it does not address the immediate issue of low oxygen saturation level. Bronchodilator medication can help improve airflow and reduce airway inflammation, but it does not directly increase oxygen delivery.
Maintaining the current oxygen flow rate is the appropriate action for the nurse to take. Clients who have COPD have chronically low oxygen saturation levels and high carbon dioxide levels due to impaired gas exchange. Increasing the oxygen flow rate can cause oxygen toxicity and suppress the respiratory drive, leading to respiratory failure. The nurse should aim to keep the oxygen saturation level between 88% and 92% for clients who have COPD.
Maintaining the current oxygen flow rate is the appropriate action for the nurse to take. Clients who have COPD have chronically low oxygen saturation levels and high carbon dioxide levels due to impaired gas exchange. Increasing the oxygen flow rate can cause oxygen toxicity and suppress the respiratory drive, leading to respiratory failure. The nurse should aim to keep the oxygen saturation level between 88% and 92% for clients who have COPD.
Incorrect choices:
a) Increase the oxygen flow rate to 4 L/min: This is incorrect as it can cause oxygen toxicity and suppress the respiratory drive, leading to respiratory failure.
b) Encourage the client to cough and deep breathe: This is incorrect as it can increase the work of breathing and cause fatigue and dyspnea in clients who have COPD.
c) Administer bronchodilator medication as prescribed: This is incorrect as it does not address the immediate issue of low oxygen saturation level. Bronchodilator medication can help improve airflow and reduce airway inflammation, but it does not directly increase oxygen delivery.