The nurse assesses a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary ...

[Awilson837]

The nurse assesses a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who has been admitted with increasing dyspnea over the last 3 days. Which finding is most important for the nurse to report to the health care provider?
 
  a. Respirations are 36 breaths/minute.
  b. Anterior-posterior chest ratio is 1:1.
  c. Lung expansion is decreased bilaterally.
  d. Hyperresonance to percussion is present.

Question 2

The laboratory has just called with the arterial blood gas (ABG) results on four patients. Which result is most important for the nurse to report immediately to the health care provider?
 
  a. pH 7.34, PaO2 82 mm Hg, PaCO2 40 mm Hg, and O2 sat 97
  b. pH 7.35, PaO2 85 mm Hg, PaCO2 45 mm Hg, and O2 sat 95
  c. pH 7.46, PaO2 90 mm Hg, PaCO2 32 mm Hg, and O2 sat 98
  d. pH 7.31, PaO2 91 mm Hg, PaCO2 50 mm Hg, and O2 sat 96

[cassie_ragen]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: A
The increase in respiratory rate indicates respiratory distress and a need for rapid interventions such as administration of oxygen or medications. The other findings are common chronic changes occurring in patients with COPD.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: D
These ABGs indicate uncompensated respiratory acidosis and should be reported to the health care provider. The other values are normal or close to normal.

[Awilson837]

Excellent

[Laurenleakan]

TYSM