Question

A nurse is assessing a patient who was diagnosed with emphysema and chronic bronchitis 5 years ago. During the assessment of this patient's integumentary system, what finding should the nurse correlate to this respiratory disease?

a. Dry, flaky skin
b. Clubbing of the fingers
c. Hypertrophy of the nails
d. Hair loss from the scalp

Answer 1

During the assessment of a patient with emphysema and chronic bronchitis, the nurse should associate clubbing of the fingers with the respiratory disease, as it indicates chronic hypoxemia associated with significant lung diseases.

Step-by-step explanation:

A nurse is assessing a patient diagnosed with emphysema and chronic bronchitis, conditions which are categorized under chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). During the assessment of the patient's integumentary system the nurse should correlate the presence of clubbing of the fingers with this respiratory disease.

Clubbing is a sign that can be associated with chronic hypoxemia (low levels of oxygen in the blood), a condition that is often seen in patients with significant lung diseases such as emphysema or chronic bronchitis.