Author Question: A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) asks the nurse why clubbing occurs. ... (Read 46 times)

Hungry! · **on:** Jul 22, 2018

A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) asks the nurse why clubbing occurs. Which response by the nurse is most therapeutic?

a. Your disease doesn't send enough oxygen to your fingers.
b. Your disease affects both your lungs and your heart, and not enough blood is being pumped.
c. Your disease will be helped if you pursed-lip breathe.
d. Your disease often makes patients lose mental status.

Question 2

The nurse is assessing a patient with emphysema. Which assessment finding requires further follow-up with the health care provider?

a. Increased anterior-posterior diameter of the chest
b. Accessory muscle used for breathing
c. Clubbing of the fingers
d. Hemoptysis

dreamfighter72 · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 22, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: A
Clubbing of the nail bed can occur with COPD and other diseases that cause prolonged oxygen deficiency or chronic hypoxemia. Pursed-lipped breathing helps the alveoli stay open but is not the cause of clubbing. Loss of mental status is not a normal finding with COPD and will not result in clubbing. Low oxygen and not low circulating blood volume is the problem in COPD that results in clubbing.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: D
Hemoptysis is an abnormal occurrence of emphysema, and further diagnostic studies are needed to determine the cause of blood in the sputum. Clubbing of the fingers, barrel chest (increased anterior-posterior chest diameter), and accessory muscle use are all normal findings in a patient with emphysema.