Question

a nurse is assisting in the care of a client who has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (copd) and observes weight loss, skeletal muscle dysfunction, and poor nutrition. the nurse should know that these factors represent which of the following?
exertional edema
pneumonia
systemic effects
loss of muscle cells

Explanation:

• Exertional edema is swelling due to exertion, not related to the described symptoms.
• Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs, which would have symptoms like fever, cough with phlegm etc., not the given set.
• Systemic effects of COPD can include weight loss, skeletal muscle dysfunction and poor nutrition as the body's overall metabolism and function are affected by the chronic lung disease.
• Loss of muscle cells is too narrow a description compared to the broader systemic picture.

Answer:

Systemic effects