Question

The nurse is preparing discharge teaching for a client who has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (copd). which teaching about deep breathing will the nurse include?

Answer 1

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic inflammatory lung disease that causes long-term breathing problems and obstructed airflow. Symptoms of COPD include difficulty in breathing, cough with sputum production and wheezing. Deep breathing is an exercise that prevents air from getting trapped in the lungs and it is useful for people with COPD. For the question above, the teaching about deep breathing that the nurse will include is; (i) the client should sit or stand with his elbows slightly back, (ii) he should inhale deeply through his nose, (iii) hold his breath as he count to 5 and (iv) he should release the air through a slow, deep exhale through his nose until he feel the inhaled air has been released. This may be performed for about 10 minutes at a time and 3 to 4 times per day.

Answer 2

The nurse should teach pursed-lip breathing in a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. This kind of breathing allows the patient to exhale most of the air trapped in the lungs, as hyperinflation is very evident in COPD. The nurse should instruct the patient to inhale slowly for 3 seconds, purse the lips, contract abdominal muscles, and exhale slowly.