Question

A nurse in a provider's office is assessing a client who has COPD. Which of the following findings is the priority for the nurse to report to the provider?

A) Productive cough with green sputum (Correct)
B) Clear sputum with occasional coughing
C) Increased appetite and weight gain
D) Decreased respiratory rate and increased oxygen saturation

Answer 1

The nurse should prioritize reporting the finding of productive cough with green sputum to the provider as it may indicate a bacterial infection in the respiratory system.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse should prioritize reporting the finding of productive cough with green sputum to the provider. This is because green sputum may indicate the presence of a bacterial infection in the respiratory system, such as pneumonia. The color change suggests the presence of inflammatory cells, such as white blood cells, which are commonly seen in infections.