Question

A home health nurse visits a client who has COPD and receives oxygen at 2 min via nasal cannula. The client reports difficulty breathing. Which of the following action is the nurse's priority? 

• Increase the oxygen flow to 3 min 

• Assess the client's respiratory status 

• Call emergency services for the client 

• Have the client cough and expectorate secretions 

Answer 1

A home health nurse visits a client who has COPD and receives oxygen at 2 L/min via nasal cannula. The client reports breathing difficulty, then the nurse should first assess the client's respiratory status.

Its because the nurse has to know the reason for dyspnea before doing any intervention, the nurse should do perception, auscultation, palpation, visual examination, and inspection to know the reason for dyspnea.

Answer - Assess the client's respiratory status.

Increase the oxygen flow to 3L/min may increase saturation but not going to help in dyspnea.

Emergency service is not required in this case, it can be managed by the nurse.

Assessment is first necessary before doing anything.