The nurse is working on a respiratory care unit in the hospital. Upon

The nurse is working on a respiratory care unit in the hospital. Upon entering the room of a client with emphysema, it is noted that the client is experiencing respiratory distress. The nurse should:

1. Instruct the client to breathe rapidly
2. Provide 20% oxygen at 2 L/min via nasal cannula
3. Place the client in the supine position
4. Go to contact the health care provider

ANSWER

ANS: 2
The nurse should provide a low concentration of oxygen to the client. The client should be in-structed to use pursed-lip breathing. The most effective position for the client with cardiopulmo-nary disease is the 45-degree semi-Fowler’s position, using gravity to assist in lung expansion and reduce pressure from the abdomen on the diaphragm. The nurse’s first priority should be to at-tend to the client who is in respiratory distress, not to contact the health care provider.