In light of her recent diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a 66-year-old woman has been prescribed bronchodilators and corticosteroids, both of which will be administered by metered dose inhaler.
How should the nurse instruct the patient on the correct administration of her medications?
A) Gauge the dose of your medications based on the severity of your symptoms on that particular day.
B) When you're taking your inhalers, breathe in as deeply as you can and hold each breath for several seconds.
C) Inhale for several short, forceful breaths after depressing your inhaler in order to get the medication well-distributed in your lungs.
D) Exhale through your inhaler prior to and after using it so that you purge the old medication from the device.
Question 2
A 58-year-old smoker is undergoing lung function testing because of his recent history of progressive dyspnea and a productive cough.
Which of the following assessment findings during spirometry would be consistent with a diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)?
A) The patient's vital capacity is 75 of expected norms for his age and gender.
B) The patient's SaO2 does not increase with the application of supplementary oxygen.
C) The patient's ability to forcibly exhale is significantly diminished.
D) The patient exhibits adventitious lung sounds during inhalation.