Question

a nurse is caring for a client who has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (copd). which of the following should the nurse identify as characteristics of copd? (select all that apply.)
barrel chest
dyspnea at rest
chronic cough with sputum production
manifestations occur only at night
fever

Explanation:

• Barrel chest: In COPD, air trapping occurs, leading to hyperinflation of the lungs. This causes the chest to assume a barrel - like shape as the ribs are more horizontally positioned.
• Dyspnea at rest: As the disease progresses, the airways become more obstructed, and the work of breathing increases. Eventually, patients may experience shortness of breath even at rest.
• Chronic cough with sputum production: Chronic bronchitis (a component of COPD in many cases) is characterized by inflammation of the bronchial tubes. This leads to a chronic cough (usually for at least 3 months in 2 consecutive years) with sputum production.
• Manifestations occur only at night: COPD manifestations are not limited to night - time. Symptoms such as cough, dyspnea, and sputum production can occur throughout the day.
• Fever: Fever is not a characteristic feature of stable COPD. Fever may occur if there is an acute exacerbation (e.g., due to an infection like pneumonia or bronchitis), but it is not a typical, ongoing characteristic of the disease itself.

Answer:

Barrel chest, Dyspnea at rest, Chronic cough with sputum production.