Question

a client is being seen in the emergency department for exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (copd). the first action of the nurse is to administer which of the following prescribed treatments?
vancomycin 1 gram intravenously over 1 hour
ipratropium bromide (alupent) by metered - dose inhaler
oxygen through nasal cannula at 2 l/minute
intravenous methylprednisolone (solu - medrol) 120 mg

Explanation:

For a client with exacerbation of COPD, the priority is to address oxygenation. COPD patients often have hypoxemia, and providing oxygen (at a controlled rate, 2 L/min via nasal cannula) is the first - line intervention to improve oxygenation status. Vancomycin is an antibiotic (for infections, not the immediate need), ipratropium bromide is a bronchodilator but improving oxygenation takes precedence initially, and methylprednisolone is a steroid for reducing inflammation which is also not the immediate first action.

Answer:

C. Oxygen through nasal cannula at 2 L/minute