Hesi Med Surg
Hesi Med Surg ( 34 Questions)
An adult client, a smoker, has had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) for twelve years. When conducting discharge teaching, what should the nurse advise the client to avoid in order to prevent exacerbation of COPD?
Exposure to persons with pneumonia or chickenpox is not a good idea for anyone, but it is not the main factor that can worsen COPD. COPD is a chronic inflammatory condition that affects the airways and the lungs, and it is mainly caused by smoking or other environmental irritants. Pneumonia and chickenpox are acute infections that can affect the respiratory system, but they are not the primary cause of COPD exacerbation.
Excessive physical exertion and respiratory tract infections are the most common triggers that can lead to COPD exacerbation, which is a sudden worsening of symptoms, such as shortness of breath, cough, and mucus production. Physical exertion can increase the oxygen demand and the work of breathing, while respiratory infections can cause inflammation and mucus obstruction in the airways. Therefore, the nurse should advise the client to avoid these factors and to seek medical attention if they occur.
Overdose of albuterol and alcohol consumption are not recommended for anyone, but they are not the main factors that can aggravate COPD. Albuterol is a bronchodilator that can help relax the muscles around the airways and improve breathing, but it can also cause side effects, such as palpitations, tremors, and anxiety, if taken in excess. Alcohol consumption can impair the immune system and the liver function, but it does not directly affect the lungs or the airways.
Excessive bedrest and lack of exercise are not beneficial for anyone, but they are not the main factors that can exacerbate COPD. Bedrest can lead to muscle weakness and deconditioning, while lack of exercise can reduce the cardiovascular and respiratory fitness. However, these factors do not cause inflammation or obstruction in the airways, which are the main features of COPD. The nurse should encourage the client to maintain a moderate level of physical activity and to follow a pulmonary rehabilitation program if available.
Choice A reason: Exposure to persons with pneumonia or chickenpox is not a good idea for anyone, but it is not the main factor that can worsen COPD. COPD is a chronic inflammatory condition that affects the airways and the lungs, and it is mainly caused by smoking or other environmental irritants. Pneumonia and chickenpox are acute infections that can affect the respiratory system, but they are not the primary cause of COPD exacerbation.
Choice B reason: Excessive physical exertion and respiratory tract infections are the most common triggers that can lead to COPD exacerbation, which is a sudden worsening of symptoms, such as shortness of breath, cough, and mucus production. Physical exertion can increase the oxygen demand and the work of breathing, while respiratory infections can cause inflammation and mucus obstruction in the airways. Therefore, the nurse should advise the client to avoid these factors and to seek medical attention if they occur.
Choice C reason: Overdose of albuterol and alcohol consumption are not recommended for anyone, but they are not the main factors that can aggravate COPD. Albuterol is a bronchodilator that can help relax the muscles around the airways and improve breathing, but it can also cause side effects, such as palpitations, tremors, and anxiety, if taken in excess. Alcohol consumption can impair the immune system and the liver function, but it does not directly affect the lungs or the airways.
Choice D reason: Excessive bedrest and lack of exercise are not beneficial for anyone, but they are not the main factors that can exacerbate COPD. Bedrest can lead to muscle weakness and deconditioning, while lack of exercise can reduce the cardiovascular and respiratory fitness. However, these factors do not cause inflammation or obstruction in the airways, which are the main features of COPD. The nurse should encourage the client to maintain a moderate level of physical activity and to follow a pulmonary rehabilitation program if available.