When interviewing a newly admitted client, the nurse learns that the c

When interviewing a newly admitted client, the nurse learns that the client is a cigarette smoker. It is determined that the client has a 50 pack-year history. This means that the client has smoked:

1. 2 packs of cigarettes a day for 25 years
2. 50 cigarettes a week for the last year
3. 1 pack a week for the last year
4. 50 packs within the last year

ANSWER

ANS: 2
If a client smoked 2 packs a day for 20 years, the client has a 40 pack-year history (packages per day x years smoked).