Question

The nurse is caring for a client admitted with exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The client is exhibiting symptoms of chronic bronchitis. Which symptoms did the nurse discover during the assessment process?

1) Distended neck veins
2) Diminished breath sounds
3) Barrel chest
4) Cough with sputum production
5) Wheezing

Answer 1

During an assessment, a nurse would identify a cough with sputum production and wheezing as symptoms of chronic bronchitis in a COPD patient. Other symptoms could include a barrel chest and diminished breath sounds, while distended neck veins might not be a primary symptom.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse caring for a client with an exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and symptoms of chronic bronchitis would likely have discovered several symptoms during the assessment process. The characteristic symptoms of chronic bronchitis, which is a component of COPD, include a cough with sputum production, and wheezing due to the inflammation and mucus build-up in the bronchial tubes. While other findings such as a barrel chest and diminished breath sounds are more closely associated with emphysema, another component of COPD, they could also be present in patients with long-standing disease. Distended neck veins may be present but are not a primary symptom of chronic bronchitis. Additionally, patients may experience shortness of breath, increased mucus production, and difficulty with activities such as walking upstairs over time due to impaired airflow and gas exchange.