Final answer:
A client with COPD typically has a barrel-shaped chest due to hyperinflation of the lungs and a reduction in alveolar elasticity from chronic poor airflow. Low oxygen levels and diagnostic imaging like chest radiographs are used to assess the damage caused by COPD.
Step-by-step explanation:
The chest of a client with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) often has a characteristic appearance, typically described as a "barrel-shaped" chest. This shape is due to the combination of hyperinflation of the lungs and the breakdown of alveolar walls, leading to over-expanded lungs which force the ribcage outward and may also flatten the diaphragm. The physiological changes associated with COPD include a reduction in the elasticity and the number of alveoli, which makes it difficult for patients to fully exhale, resulting in air becoming trapped in the lungs. This impedes normal gas exchange, leading to low oxygen levels and heightened carbon dioxide in the blood.
During a physical examination, healthcare professionals may use a stethoscope to listen for abnormalities in breathing such as crepitus, which is a crackling sound. Diagnostic imaging, such as a chest radiograph, is also used to visualize the lungs and assess for signs consistent with COPD or other complications like pneumonia. COPD is primarily caused by long-term exposure to harmful substances, especially tobacco smoke, but other factors like air pollution and genetics also play a role.