Practice Question
A nurse is caring for a client who has emphysema. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect to assess in this client? (Select all that apply.)
Answer Choices:
Correct Answer:
Dyspnea
Rationale:
Dyspnea.
🟥 Emphysema is a form of COPD characterized by destruction of alveolar walls and decreased elastic recoil, leading to air trapping.
🟥 This causes chronic shortness of breath (dyspnea), especially with exertion, as gas exchange becomes less efficient.
🟥 Clients often report difficulty breathing and may use pursed-lip breathing to help exhale trapped air.
🟥 Dyspnea is one of the most common and distressing symptoms in emphysema.
🟥 Therefore, the nurse should absolutely expect to assess dyspnea in this client.
Clubbing of the fingers.
🟥 Clubbing is a physical finding associated with chronic hypoxia, which can develop in long-standing emphysema.
🟥 The tips of the fingers become enlarged and the nails curve around the fingertips.
🟥 This occurs due to changes in the microvasculature in response to low oxygen levels over time.
🟥 Clients with chronic lung disease, including emphysema, may display this sign.
🟥 Thus, clubbing is an expected assessment finding in some clients with advanced emphysema.
Barrel chest.
🟥 A barrel chest results from hyperinflation of the lungs and increased anteroposterior (AP) diameter.
🟥 In emphysema, air trapping expands the thoracic cage, leading to a rounded, barrel-shaped chest.
🟥 This structural change is a classic sign of long-standing emphysematous COPD.
🟥 The chest wall becomes rigid, and the diaphragm flattens, affecting breathing mechanics.
🟥 Therefore, barrel chest is a key expected finding in emphysema.
Deep respirations.
🟥 Clients with emphysema typically have rapid, shallow respirations, not deep ones.
🟥 Because of air trapping and decreased lung elasticity, they struggle to fully exhale, making breathing less efficient.
🟥 The respiratory rate often increases to compensate for impaired gas exchange.
🟥 Deep respirations would not be typical in this chronic obstructive pattern.
🟥 Thus, deep respirations are not an expected finding in emphysema.
Bradycardia.
🟥 Chronic hypoxia in emphysema often leads to tachycardia, not bradycardia, as the heart attempts to increase oxygen delivery.
🟥 Low oxygen levels stimulate the sympathetic nervous system, raising heart rate.
🟥 Bradycardia would be unusual unless related to medications or conduction problems.
🟥 In respiratory distress, the body usually compensates with faster, not slower, heart rates.
🟥 Therefore, bradycardia is not typically expected in a client with emphysema.
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This question is from Custom Concept Quiz 2 which contains 40 questions.
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Question Details
- Category: RN Nursing Exam(s)
- Subcategory: ATI Exam(s)
- Domain: RN Custom Exam(s)
- Answer Choices: 5