Question

The nurse is planning care of a patient with difficulty breathing due to a medical diagnosis of COPD. Which of the following should the nurse determine is the priority nursing diagnosis?

a)Knowledge deficit regarding use of inhaler
b) Sleep pattern disturbance
c)Spiritual distress
d) Ineffective airway clearance

Answer 1

d) Ineffective airway clearance

The priority nursing diagnosis for a patient with COPD is ineffective airway clearance, as COPD's major symptoms include difficulty breathing due to poor airflow. Spirometry can assist in diagnosing airway obstruction, which is a key issue in COPD patients.

Step-by-step explanation:

The priority nursing diagnosis for a patient with difficulty breathing due to a medical diagnosis of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) should be d) Ineffective airway clearance. COPD is a lung condition that is characterized by chronic poor airflow, which leads to difficulty in breathing. Priority should be given to maintaining a patent airway and helping the patient improve air exchange. Interventions such as teaching effective cough techniques, suctioning, and using bronchodilators are vital.

Spirometry is a useful diagnostic tool that can help determine the extent of airway obstruction by measuring how well the lungs work to move air in and out. It can detect a decrease in lung capacity, often seen in COPD patients, indicating ineffective airway clearance.

In the case of pneumonia, where alveoli become inflamed and fill with fluid, different care priorities would be set, but for a patient with COPD, ensuring that the airway is clear for adequate gas exchange is essential, and this aligns with the focus of the question.