Question

The nurse has documented care for this patient experiencing a

complication of COPD. Select to highlight the entries that are
consistent with a secondary spontaneous pneumothorax (SSP).

Answer 1

Medical documentation for a patient experiencing a complication of COPD consistent with secondary spontaneous pneumothorax (SSP) would include observations of hypoxemia, abnormal crackling sounds in the lungs, and radiographic evidence of cavities or opacities, in addition to noting the lack of alveolar elasticity seen in COPD.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question pertains to documenting care for a patient with a suspected secondary spontaneous pneumothorax (SSP), a complication of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). When addressing care for SSP, medical professionals would note symptoms such as hypoxemia, an elevated heart rate, the presence of crepitation or crackling sounds during auscultation of the lungs, and a chest radiograph showing abnormalities such as cavities or opacities suggestive of air or gas in the pleural space. As SSP is often a complication of underlying lung diseases like emphysema or chronic bronchitis, documented changes in the lungs, such as breakdown of connective tissues and reduced elasticity of alveoli, are consistent with COPD. The presence of greenish sputum also indicates a likely infection, which can be a triggering factor for SSP in the context of COPD.