Question

A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) tells the nurse, "I no longer have enough energy to make love to my husband." Which nursing intervention would be most appropriate?

Suggest methods and measures that conserve energy. Refer the couple to a sex therapist. Tell the client to discuss it with her husband. Refer the woman to a gynecologist.

Answer 1

The most appropriate nursing intervention for a client with COPD struggling with energy for intimacy is to suggest energy conservation methods and lifestyle adjustments. Education on proper use of medications like inhaled bronchodilators and supplemental oxygen could also help improve symptoms and energy levels.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most appropriate nursing intervention for a client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who is experiencing a lack of energy to make love to her husband would be to suggest methods and measures that conserve energy. COPD can result in decreased energy levels due to difficulty in breathing and reduced oxygenation. Therefore, the nurse should offer practical advice on energy conservation techniques and possible lifestyle adjustments that could help the client allocate her energy to activities that are most important to her, including intimacy.

In addition to energy conservation strategies, the nurse may also provide education on the effective use of inhaled bronchodilators and, if prescribed, supplemental oxygen. As per Figure 16.4.4, using these treatments appropriately may reduce symptoms and could potentially improve the client's energy levels. However, it's essential to recognize that there is no cure for COPD except in very severe cases where a lung transplantation could be considered. Referral to other specialists, such as an endocrinologist, sex therapist, or gynecologist, may be considered if energy conservation strategies and medical treatment do not adequately address the client's concerns about intimacy.