Question

The nurse is caring for a 10-year-old boy with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. As part of the nursing plan of care, the nurse focuses on maintaining his cardiopulmonary function. Which of the following interventions will best promote maximum chest expansion?

A) Deep-breathing exercises
B) Proper positioning, usually upright
C) Coughing
D) Chest percussion

Answer 1

The most effective intervention to promote maximum chest expansion in a child with Duchenne muscular dystrophy is proper positioning, usually in an upright position, to optimize the function of the diaphragm and intercostal muscles during breathing.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse caring for a 10-year-old boy with Duchenne muscular dystrophy correctly focuses on maintaining cardiopulmonary function to promote maximum chest expansion.

Among the interventions listed, proper positioning, usually upright, is the most effective to expand the thoracic cavity optimally. This positioning, facilitated by the action of the diaphragm and the external intercostal muscles during inspiration, helps to maximize lung volume. While deep-breathing exercises, coughing, and chest percussion all play roles in maintaining respiratory function, proper positioning ensures that the boy's body is aligned in a way that mechanically advantages the muscles responsible for breathing.