Question

A clinic nurse is caring for a patient who has just been diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The patient asks the nurse what he could have done to minimize the risk of contracting this disease. What would be the nurse's best answer?

A) "The most important risk factor for COPD is exposure to occupational toxins."
B) "The most important risk factor for COPD is inadequate exercise."
C) "The most important risk factor for COPD is exposure to dust and pollen."
D) "The most important risk factor for COPD is cigarette smoking."

Answer 1

The most important risk factor for COPD is cigarette smoking. Tobacco smoking causes significant damage to the lungs, leading to conditions like COPD, and even secondhand smoke exposure contributes to the disease. Patients can mitigate the risk and progression of COPD through smoking cessation and adopting other healthy lifestyle practices.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse's best answer would be D) "The most important risk factor for COPD is cigarette smoking." Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive condition that affects the lungs, leading to difficulty in breathing. The physiological changes in COPD include a breakdown of alveolar walls, reducing the surface area for gas exchange. The major cause of COPD is tobacco smoking, with other contributing factors including air pollution, occupational toxins, and genetics, though they play smaller roles.

For someone diagnosed with COPD, it's crucial to cease smoking as it can slow down the disease's progression. Avoiding exposure to secondhand smoke is also vital since it's responsible for roughly 20% of COPD cases. Preventive measures such as getting enough exercise, maintaining a healthy diet, washing hands, and staying up to date with vaccinations are also important for overall respiratory health.