Final answer:
The nurse should encourage a client with emphysema and dyspnea to assume either the high Fowler's position or lie on their side with the head of the bed elevated, to maximize lung expansion and ease breathing.
Step-by-step explanation:
Optimal Position for Emphysema and Dyspnea Patients
For a client admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of emphysema and dyspnea, the nurse should encourage the client to assume a position that maximizes lung expansion and eases breathing. Due to emphysema, a type of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), the elasticity of the alveoli is reduced, hindering full exhalation and leading to air becoming trapped in the lungs. This impedes gas exchange, which can lead to low oxygen levels and high carbon dioxide levels in the blood. A position that typically benefits such patients is the high Fowler's position where the patient is sitting up straight or slightly reclined with the knees either bent or straight out. This position helps to decrease the pressure on the diaphragm by abdominal organs, allowing for better expansion of the chest and easier breathing.
In cases where a patient cannot sit up, another beneficial position could be lying on the side with the head of the bed elevated to help with breathing and lung expansion. In a standing position, gravity stretches the bottom of the lung more than the top, which can influence the flow of air and gas exchange in the lungs. However, when a patient with severe dyspnea cannot tolerate the upright position, placing them on their side can still help with ventilation. It is important for health care providers to assess each patient's individual needs and comfort when recommending a position.