A young adult patient who denies any history of smoking is seen in the clinic with a new diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The nurse should plan to teach the patient about

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Non-smokers with COPD may have α⁴‚-antitrypsin deficiency, a genetic condition, making testing appropriate.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Risk for aspiration and maintaining an open airway is the priority. Because a local anesthetic is used to suppress the gag and cough reflexes during bronchoscopy, the nurse should monitor for the return of these reflexes before allowing the patient to take oral fluids or food. The patient does not need to be on bed rest, and the head of the bed does not need to be in the high-Fowler's position.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Xerostomia can be partially alleviated by drinking fluids at frequent intervals. Radiation will damage tissues at the site being radiated but should not affect the abdominal organs, so loose stools are not a usual complication.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Repeated negative sputum smears indicate that Mycobacterium tuberculosis is not present in the sputum, and the patient cannot transmit the bacteria by the airborne route. Chest x-rays are not used to determine whether treatment has been successful. Taking medications for 6 months is necessary, but the multidrug-resistant forms of the disease might not be eradicated after 6 months of therapy.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: O2 saturation would be expected to improve after a thoracentesis. A saturation of 88% indicates that a complication such as pneumothorax may be occurring.