Question

A client arrives at the emergency department with increasing shortness of breath, productive cough, and wheezing for the past 3 days.

Answer 1

Correct Answers:

Prolonged expiratory phase with wheezing
Productive cough with yellow-green sputum
Sp02 86% on room air

Rationale :

✅ Prolonged expiratory phase with wheezing

🌹 COPD exacerbations cause worsening airflow obstruction, making it particularly difficult for the client to exhale effectively.

🌹 A prolonged expiratory phase is characteristic of obstructive pulmonary disease because narrowed airways slow the movement of air out of the lungs.

🌹 Expiratory wheezing results from air moving through narrowed or obstructed lower airways.

🌹 Increased bronchospasm and airway inflammation during an exacerbation can make wheezing more pronounced.

🌹 The client's diminished breath sounds further indicate decreased air movement associated with significant airflow obstruction.

🌹 The ABG showing PaCO₂ 58 mmHg supports impaired ventilation and carbon dioxide retention.

🌹 The client's labored respirations and accessory muscle use further indicate increased work of breathing during the acute episode.

🌹 Therefore, a prolonged expiratory phase with wheezing is strongly consistent with an acute COPD exacerbation.

✅ Productive cough with yellow-green sputum

🌹 An acute COPD exacerbation commonly presents with an increase in cough and sputum production.

🌹 A change in sputum characteristics, particularly development of purulent yellow-green sputum, can suggest an infectious trigger.

🌹 Respiratory infections are common precipitating factors for acute COPD exacerbations.

🌹 The client's low-grade fever of 100.6°F further supports the possibility of an acute infectious process.

🌹 The elevated WBC count of 14.5 also indicates an inflammatory or infectious response.

🌹 Increased airway secretions can worsen airflow obstruction and contribute to difficulty breathing.

🌹 The absence of focal consolidation on the chest x-ray makes focal pneumonia less evident, while the overall presentation remains consistent with COPD exacerbation.

🌹 Therefore, the client's productive cough with yellow-green sputum is an important finding associated with the acute exacerbation.

✅ SpO₂ 86% on room air

🌹 An SpO₂ of 86% on room air represents significant hypoxemia and is consistent with worsening gas exchange during an acute COPD exacerbation.

🌹 The client's ABG confirms hypoxemia with a PaO₂ of 55 mmHg.

🌹 Increased airway obstruction and ventilation-perfusion mismatch can significantly reduce oxygenation during an exacerbation.

🌹 The client's tachypnea of 28/min represents a compensatory response to respiratory compromise.

🌹 Accessory muscle use further demonstrates increased respiratory effort and difficulty maintaining adequate ventilation.

🌹 The ABG values of pH 7.31, PaCO₂ 58 mmHg, and HCO₃⁻ 30 mEq/L indicate respiratory acidosis with metabolic compensation, compatible with chronic CO₂ retention with acute worsening.

🌹 Significant hypoxemia requires prompt assessment and appropriately controlled supplemental oxygen therapy in a client with COPD.

🌹 Therefore, SpO₂ 86% on room air is a major clinical finding consistent with an acute COPD exacerbation.

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Answer 2

Correct Answers:

Respiratory alkalosis, uncompensated

Rationale :

✍️ The client's pH is 7.31, which is below the normal range of 7.35–7.45, indicating acidosis.

✍️ The PaCO₂ is 58 mmHg, which is above the normal range of 35–45 mmHg, indicating retention of carbon dioxide and identifying a respiratory cause of the acidosis.

✍️ Clients with COPD can retain carbon dioxide because airflow obstruction and impaired alveolar ventilation reduce effective elimination of CO₂.

✍️ The client's HCO₃⁻ is elevated at 30 mEq/L, compared with the normal range of 22–26 mEq/L, showing that the kidneys are retaining bicarbonate to compensate for the respiratory acidosis.

✍️ The compensation is only partial because the pH remains abnormal at 7.31 rather than returning to the normal range.

✍️ The client's PaO₂ of 55 mmHg and SpO₂ of 86% also demonstrate significant hypoxemia associated with impaired pulmonary gas exchange.

✍️ The acute worsening of COPD, including wheezing, prolonged expiration, tachypnea, and increased work of breathing, explains the worsening CO₂ retention.

✍️ Therefore, the combination of low pH + high PaCO₂ + high HCO₃⁻ identifies partially compensated respiratory acidosis.

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Answer 3

Correct Answers:

Ineffective breathing

Rationale :

👉 The client has severe respiratory compromise, including a respiratory rate of 28/min with labored breathing, accessory muscle use, wheezing, and prolonged expiration.

👉 The client's SpO₂ of 86% on room air demonstrates significant hypoxemia and indicates inadequate oxygenation.

👉 The PaO₂ of 55 mmHg further confirms impaired pulmonary gas exchange and insufficient arterial oxygenation.

👉 The PaCO₂ of 58 mmHg indicates carbon dioxide retention caused by inadequate alveolar ventilation associated with the COPD exacerbation.

👉 The client's pH of 7.31 demonstrates respiratory acidosis, showing that impaired ventilation is already producing a significant physiologic consequence.

👉 Using the ABC priority framework, breathing problems take priority over fluid balance, infection, and other concerns when respiratory compromise is present.

👉 The client's wheezing, diminished breath sounds, and accessory muscle use indicate airway obstruction and increased work of breathing requiring prompt intervention.

👉 Therefore, ineffective breathing is the priority problem because failure to improve ventilation and oxygenation can rapidly become life-threatening.

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Answer 4

Correct Answers:

Start empiric antibiotic therapy
Administer a short-acting bronchodilator
Administer corticosteroids intravenously

Rationale :

✅ Start empiric antibiotic therapy

♦️ The client has increased dyspnea, increased sputum production, and purulent green sputum, which strongly support an infectious trigger for the COPD exacerbation.

♦️ Purulent sputum is an important finding that increases the likelihood that bacterial infection is contributing to the acute deterioration.

♦️ The client's WBC count of 14.5 is elevated and supports an active inflammatory or infectious process.

♦️ The temperature of 100.6°F provides additional evidence suggesting infection.

♦️ Antibiotics are commonly indicated during an acute COPD exacerbation when there is increased sputum purulence, particularly when accompanied by worsening dyspnea or sputum volume.

♦️ Treating the infectious trigger can reduce continued airway inflammation and mucus production.

♦️ The chest x-ray showing no focal consolidation makes pneumonia less apparent, but it does not rule out a bacterial COPD exacerbation.

♦️ Therefore, the nurse should anticipate empiric antibiotic therapy based on this client's clinical presentation.

✅ Administer a short-acting bronchodilator

♦️ A short-acting bronchodilator, such as albuterol, is a first-line treatment for acute bronchospasm during a COPD exacerbation.

♦️ The client's expiratory wheezing indicates significant narrowing of the lower airways.

♦️ Bronchodilation helps decrease airway resistance and improves expiratory airflow.

♦️ The client's prolonged expiratory phase reflects airflow obstruction that can improve with short-acting bronchodilator therapy.

♦️ The presence of accessory muscle use and labored breathing demonstrates increased work of breathing that requires rapid treatment.

♦️ Short-acting beta₂ agonists begin working quickly and are appropriate for acute symptom relief.

♦️ Bronchodilator therapy can improve ventilation and help reduce CO₂ retention by improving airflow.

♦️ Therefore, administration of a short-acting bronchodilator should be anticipated promptly.

✅ Administer corticosteroids intravenously

♦️ Systemic corticosteroids decrease airway inflammation during moderate to severe acute COPD exacerbations.

♦️ Reduced inflammation can improve airflow and respiratory symptoms and shorten recovery time.

♦️ This client has substantial respiratory distress, including SpO₂ 86%, RR 28/min, accessory muscle use, and wheezing.

♦️ The ABG showing pH 7.31 and PaCO₂ 58 mmHg indicates significant ventilatory impairment.

♦️ Systemic corticosteroids can decrease airway edema and improve the effectiveness of bronchodilator therapy.

♦️ Intravenous administration may be used in a significantly symptomatic hospitalized client, although systemic corticosteroids can also be given orally when appropriate.

♦️ Because the client already has hyperglycemia risk related to stress and steroid therapy, glucose levels should be monitored carefully during treatment.

♦️ Therefore, systemic corticosteroid therapy is an expected component of treatment for this acute COPD exacerbation.

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Answer 5

Correct Answers:

Titrate oxygen to maintain SpO2 between 88-92%

Rationale :

✏️ During an acute COPD exacerbation, supplemental oxygen should be carefully titrated, particularly in a client with evidence of CO₂ retention.

✏️ The client's SpO₂ of 86% and PaO₂ of 55 mmHg indicate significant hypoxemia, making supplemental oxygen necessary.

✏️ A target SpO₂ of 88–92% is commonly used for clients with COPD who are at risk for hypercapnic respiratory failure.

✏️ The client's PaCO₂ of 58 mmHg confirms significant carbon dioxide retention and supports the need for controlled oxygen administration.

✏️ Excessive oxygen can worsen hypercapnia in susceptible COPD clients through mechanisms including worsening ventilation-perfusion mismatch.

✏️ Oxygen should not be withheld because of concern for CO₂ retention; instead, it should be administered and carefully titrated to the prescribed target.

✏️ The nurse should continuously monitor SpO₂, respiratory effort, mental status, and respiratory rate, with repeat ABGs as clinically indicated.

✏️ Therefore, maintaining the client's SpO₂ between 88–92% provides needed oxygenation while reducing the risk associated with excessive oxygen administration.

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Answer 6

Correct Answers:

Temperature decreases from 100.6 °F to 99.5 °F
Arterial Blood Gas: pH 7.35, PaCO2 - 55, HCO, - 31
SpO2 increased from 86% to 90% on 2L nasal cannula

Rationale :

✅ Temperature decreases from 100.6°F to 99.5°F

✨ A decrease in temperature from 100.6°F to 99.5°F indicates improvement in the client's febrile response.

✨ The client's initial green sputum, elevated WBC count, and fever suggested an infectious or inflammatory trigger for the COPD exacerbation.

✨ A declining temperature after treatment suggests that the underlying infectious or inflammatory process may be responding to therapy.

✨ Improvement in infection can decrease airway inflammation and mucus production, helping improve respiratory function.

✨ A temperature of 99.5°F is much closer to the normal range than the client's initial temperature.

✨ This improvement should be considered together with respiratory findings, oxygenation, and laboratory values to determine the client's overall clinical response.

✨ Continued monitoring remains necessary because one improved temperature reading alone does not confirm complete resolution of the infection.

✨ Therefore, the decreasing temperature is a finding that indicates the client's condition is improving.

✅ Arterial blood gas: pH 7.35, PaCO₂ 55 mmHg, HCO₃⁻ 31 mEq/L

✨ The client's initial pH was 7.31, indicating acidemia from respiratory acidosis.

✨ An increase in pH to 7.35 demonstrates movement back into the normal range of 7.35–7.45.

✨ The PaCO₂ decreases from 58 to 55 mmHg, demonstrating some improvement in carbon dioxide elimination.

✨ The PaCO₂ remains elevated, which is not unexpected in a client with longstanding COPD and chronic CO₂ retention.

✨ The HCO₃⁻ of 31 mEq/L reflects renal bicarbonate retention associated with compensation for chronic respiratory acidosis.

✨ Normalization of the pH suggests that the client's overall acid-base status has improved compared with the initial ABG.

✨ The trend toward a lower PaCO₂ also supports improving alveolar ventilation following treatment.

✨ Therefore, these ABG values represent improvement from the client's initial pH 7.31 and PaCO₂ 58 mmHg.

✅ SpO₂ increased from 86% to 90% on 2 L nasal cannula

✨ The client's initial SpO₂ of 86% on room air demonstrated significant hypoxemia.

✨ An increase to 90% on 2 L/min nasal cannula demonstrates improved oxygenation following treatment.

✨ For many clients experiencing COPD exacerbations with risk for hypercapnia, oxygen is titrated toward approximately 88–92%.

✨ An SpO₂ of 90% falls within this commonly targeted range.

✨ Controlled oxygen administration improves tissue oxygenation while limiting unnecessary exposure to excessively high oxygen concentrations.

✨ Improvement in saturation suggests that interventions such as oxygen, bronchodilators, and corticosteroids are helping improve pulmonary function.

✨ The nurse should continue monitoring SpO₂, respiratory effort, mental status, and ABGs to ensure improvement continues.

✨ Therefore, increasing from 86% to 90% represents a clinically meaningful improvement in the client's oxygenation.

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Answer 7

Correct Answers:

Albuterol

Rationale :

✳️ Albuterol is a short-acting beta₂-adrenergic agonist (SABA) used as a rescue medication during an acute asthma attack.

✳️ It produces rapid bronchodilation by relaxing bronchial smooth muscle and opening narrowed airways.

✳️ During an acute asthma attack, the immediate priority is to reverse bronchospasm and improve airflow.

✳️ Albuterol has a rapid onset of action, making it appropriate for immediate relief of wheezing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath.

✳️ The medication is commonly administered by metered-dose inhaler or nebulizer during an acute exacerbation.

✳️ The nurse should monitor for improvement in breath sounds, respiratory effort, oxygen saturation, and peak expiratory flow following administration.

✳️ Expected adverse effects can include tachycardia, palpitations, nervousness, and tremors because of beta-adrenergic stimulation.

✳️ Therefore, albuterol is administered first because it rapidly reverses the acute bronchoconstriction threatening the client's ventilation.

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Answer 8

Correct Answers:

Previous intubation due to status asthmaticus episode

Rationale :

💎 A history of previous intubation for status asthmaticus is a major risk factor for future severe or potentially fatal asthma exacerbations.

💎 Previous intubation indicates that the client's asthma has previously progressed to life-threatening respiratory failure.

💎 Status asthmaticus is a severe, persistent asthma exacerbation that does not respond adequately to initial standard bronchodilator treatment.

💎 Clients with a history of severe exacerbations are at increased risk for experiencing another episode of severe airway obstruction.

💎 Intubation is generally required when worsening bronchospasm results in respiratory exhaustion, severe hypoxemia, hypercapnia, or altered mental status.

💎 The nurse should therefore consider a history of previous intubation an important warning sign when assessing the client's risk for life-threatening asthma.

💎 These clients require careful monitoring and early aggressive treatment when manifestations of an acute asthma exacerbation develop.

💎 Therefore, previous intubation due to status asthmaticus is the strongest risk factor among the choices for another severe episode.

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Answer 9

Correct Answers:

Suppress respiratory effort

Rationale :

⚽ Pancuronium is a nondepolarizing neuromuscular blocking agent that produces skeletal muscle paralysis.

⚽ In a mechanically ventilated client with ARDS, pancuronium can suppress spontaneous respiratory muscle activity and improve synchrony with the ventilator.

⚽ Severe ARDS may require controlled mechanical ventilation to optimize oxygenation and ventilation while limiting ventilator-induced lung injury.

⚽ By paralyzing the respiratory muscles, pancuronium prevents the client from fighting or breathing asynchronously with the ventilator.

⚽ Neuromuscular blockade can therefore suppress respiratory effort and allow the ventilator to provide controlled breaths more effectively.

⚽ Pancuronium causes paralysis only and does not provide analgesia, amnesia, or sedation.

⚽ Because the client can potentially remain conscious while paralyzed, adequate sedation and analgesia must be provided separately when neuromuscular blockade is used.

⚽ Therefore, pancuronium is administered in this situation to suppress respiratory effort and facilitate mechanical ventilation.

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Answer 10

Correct Answers:

Sepsis

Rationale :

🎯 Sepsis is the most common cause of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

🎯 Sepsis triggers a widespread systemic inflammatory response that can injure the pulmonary capillary membrane.

🎯 This inflammatory injury causes increased capillary permeability, allowing fluid to leak into the alveoli.

🎯 The resulting noncardiogenic pulmonary edema interferes with normal oxygen exchange.

🎯 Clients with ARDS often develop severe hypoxemia that is difficult to correct with oxygen therapy alone.

🎯 Inflammation also reduces lung compliance, making the lungs stiff and increasing the work required for ventilation.

🎯 Sepsis-related ARDS can progress rapidly and often requires mechanical ventilation with lung-protective strategies.

🎯 Therefore, among the listed causes, sepsis is the most common precipitating condition for ARDS.

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ABGs	Results	Reference
pH	7.31	7.35-7.45
PaCO2	58	35-45 mmHg
HCO3	30	22-26 mEq/L
PaO2	55	75-100 mmHg

CBC	Results	Reference
White blood cells	14.5	4000-11000/mcL
Red blood cells	5.8 million/mcL	4.7-6.1 million/mcL
Hemoglobin	13.1 g/dL	13.2-16.6 g/dL
Hematocrit	38%	38.3-48.6%
Platelets	152	150-400 K/uL

ABGs	Results	Reference
pH	7.31	7.35-7.45
PaCO2	58	35-45 mmHg
HCO3	30	22-26 mEq/L
PaO2	55	75-100 mmHg

CBC	Results	Reference
White blood cells	14.5	4000-11000/mcL
Red blood cells	5.8 million/mcL	4.7-6.1 million/mcL
Hemoglobin	13.1 g/dL	13.2-16.6 g/dL
Hematocrit	38%	38.3-48.6%
Platelets	152	150-400 K/uL

ABGs	Results	Reference
pH	7.31	7.35-7.45
PaCO2	58	35-45 mmHg
HCO3	30	22-26 mEq/L
PaO2	55	75-100 mmHg

QLexNursing

1 :
A client arrives at the emergency department with increasing shortness of breath, productive cough, and wheezing for the past 3 days.

Answer Options

2 :
A client arrives at the emergency department with increasing shortness of breath, productive cough, and wheezing for the past 3 days.

Answer Options

3 :
A client arrives at the emergency department with increasing shortness of breath, productive cough, and wheezing for the past 3 days.

Answer Options

4 :
A client arrives at the emergency department with increasing shortness of breath, productive cough, and wheezing for the past 3 days.

Answer Options

5 :
A client arrives at the emergency department with increasing shortness of breath, productive cough, and wheezing for the past 3 days.

Answer Options

6 :
A client arrives at the emergency department with increasing shortness of breath, productive cough, and wheezing for the past 3 days.

Answer Options

7 :
A nurse in an emergency department is caring for a client who is experiencing an acute asthma attack. Which of the following medications should the nurse expect to administer first?

8 :
Which of the following risk factors is associated with a client having a higher risk of status asthmaticus?

9 :
A nurse is caring for a client who has acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and requires mechanical ventilation. The client receives a prescription for pancuronium. The nurse recognizes that this medication is for which of the following purposes?

10 :
A nurse is caring for a client who has acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The nurse should identify that which of the following conditions is the most common cause of ARDS?

QLexNursing

1 : A client arrives at the emergency department with increasing shortness of breath, productive cough, and wheezing for the past 3 days.

Answer Options

2 : A client arrives at the emergency department with increasing shortness of breath, productive cough, and wheezing for the past 3 days.

Answer Options

3 : A client arrives at the emergency department with increasing shortness of breath, productive cough, and wheezing for the past 3 days.

Answer Options

4 : A client arrives at the emergency department with increasing shortness of breath, productive cough, and wheezing for the past 3 days.

Answer Options

5 : A client arrives at the emergency department with increasing shortness of breath, productive cough, and wheezing for the past 3 days.

Answer Options

6 : A client arrives at the emergency department with increasing shortness of breath, productive cough, and wheezing for the past 3 days.

Answer Options

7 : A nurse in an emergency department is caring for a client who is experiencing an acute asthma attack. Which of the following medications should the nurse expect to administer first?

8 : Which of the following risk factors is associated with a client having a higher risk of status asthmaticus?

9 : A nurse is caring for a client who has acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and requires mechanical ventilation. The client receives a prescription for pancuronium. The nurse recognizes that this medication is for which of the following purposes?

10 : A nurse is caring for a client who has acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The nurse should identify that which of the following conditions is the most common cause of ARDS?

1 :
A client arrives at the emergency department with increasing shortness of breath, productive cough, and wheezing for the past 3 days.

2 :
A client arrives at the emergency department with increasing shortness of breath, productive cough, and wheezing for the past 3 days.

3 :
A client arrives at the emergency department with increasing shortness of breath, productive cough, and wheezing for the past 3 days.

4 :
A client arrives at the emergency department with increasing shortness of breath, productive cough, and wheezing for the past 3 days.

5 :
A client arrives at the emergency department with increasing shortness of breath, productive cough, and wheezing for the past 3 days.

6 :
A client arrives at the emergency department with increasing shortness of breath, productive cough, and wheezing for the past 3 days.

7 :
A nurse in an emergency department is caring for a client who is experiencing an acute asthma attack. Which of the following medications should the nurse expect to administer first?

8 :
Which of the following risk factors is associated with a client having a higher risk of status asthmaticus?

9 :
A nurse is caring for a client who has acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and requires mechanical ventilation. The client receives a prescription for pancuronium. The nurse recognizes that this medication is for which of the following purposes?

10 :
A nurse is caring for a client who has acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The nurse should identify that which of the following conditions is the most common cause of ARDS?