Question

The nurse is providing care for a client who has recently been diagnosed with COPD. When educating the client about exacerbations, the nurse should prioritize what topic?

a) Identifying specific causes of exacerbations b) Prompt administration of corticosteroids during exacerbations
c) The importance of prone positioning during exacerbations
d) The relationship between activity level and exacerbations

Answer 1

The nurse should educate the client with COPD on identifying specific causes of exacerbations, as knowing and avoiding these triggers is essential for managing the condition. The correct option is a).

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse should prioritize educating the client with COPD about identifying specific causes of exacerbations. Exacerbations, or flare-ups, can be triggered by a variety of factors such as infections, air pollution, and not following the treatment plan properly.

Understanding and avoiding these triggers is crucial for managing COPD effectively and can help prevent the worsening of symptoms.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a group of progressive lung diseases, including emphysema and chronic bronchitis, that make it hard to breathe.

The leading cause of COPD is tobacco smoking, though other factors like air pollution and genetic predisposition can contribute. It's important for people with COPD to keep vaccinations up-to-date to prevent respiratory infections that can cause exacerbations.

With COPD, the alveoli in the lungs are damaged, leading to decreased elasticity and gas exchange efficiency compared to normal lungs. This can result in trapping air and causing breathlessness.

While COPD is incurable, certain treatments and lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking, can slow its progression and improve quality of life. Option a) is the correct one.