Question

The nurse has instructed the client to use a peak flow meter. The nurse evaluates client learning as satisfactory when the client

a) Records in a diary the number achieved after one breath
b) Sits in a straight-back chair and leans forward
c) Inhales deeply and holds the breath
d) Exhales hard and fast with a single blow

Answer 1

The nurse would consider the client's understanding of using a peak flow meter satisfactory when the client performs a hard and fast exhalation in a single blow to measure lung capacity and manage conditions like asthma.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse evaluates client learning of using a peak flow meter as satisfactory when the client "d) Exhales hard and fast with a single blow". This method assesses the client's ability to expel air from the lungs, which is crucial for diagnostic purposes. For instance, evaluating the forced expiratory volume (FEV) and forced vital capacity (FVC) with tools like a spirometer can lead to the diagnosis of respiratory conditions such as asthma, emphysema, and fibrosis. A peak flow meter is a simpler device often used at home that helps monitor the peak expiratory flow rate, indicating the lung's ability to expel air and thereby assisting in managing conditions like asthma.