Question

The nurse is caring for a client hospitalized with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Which finding would the nurse expect to note on assessment of this client? (Select all that apply.)

Hypocapnia
A hyperinflated chest noted on the chest X-ray
Decreased oxygen saturation with mild exercise
A widened diaphragm noted on the chest X-ray
Pulmonary function tests that demonstrate increased vital capacity

Answer 1

In a client with acute exacerbation of COPD, expected findings include a hyperinflated chest and a widened diaphragm on X-ray, and decreased oxygen saturation with mild exercise. Hypocapnia and increased vital capacity are not typical for COPD exacerbation.

Step-by-step explanation:

When caring for a client hospitalized with an acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a nurse would expect to observe certain clinical findings. These findings may include:

• A hyperinflated chest noted on the chest X-ray, indicating trapped air due to the inability to fully exhale.
• Decreased oxygen saturation with mild exercise, due to the impaired gas exchange resulting from damaged alveoli and chronic airflow obstruction.
• A widened diaphragm noted on the chest X-ray, as a result of diaphragm flattening due to overinflation of the lungs.

However, a finding such as hypocapnia would not typically be expected in a patient with an acute exacerbation of COPD, as they are more likely to have hypercapnia due to hypoventilation. Similarly, pulmonary function tests in a patient with COPD would likely show a decreased vital capacity, opposite to an increased vital capacity, because of the reduced elastic recoil and air trapping in the lungs.