Question

A home health nurse is assessing a client who has COPD. The client has a respiratory rate of 22/min and reports shortness of breath. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

a) Administer supplemental oxygen
b) Encourage deep breathing exercises
c) Initiate chest physiotherapy
d) Assess for signs of respiratory distress

Answer 1

In this scenario, the nurse should first assess for signs of respiratory distress.

Step-by-step explanation:

In this scenario, the home health nurse is assessing a client with COPD who has a respiratory rate of 22/min and reports shortness of breath. In this situation, the nurse should first assess for signs of respiratory distress (option d). It is important to evaluate the client for any immediate indications of respiratory distress, such as increased breathing effort, use of accessory muscles, or cyanosis, before considering any interventions. This will help determine the severity and urgency of the situation.