Which nursing intervention is the highest priority for the patient admitted with a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbation?

Administer short-acting beta 2 agonist inhaler as needed. Interventions are prioritized using the ABCs – Airway, Breathing, Circulation. The patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is at risk for acute bronchoconstriction that can lead to respiratory failure. The priority intervention is to administer the SABA inhaler when the patient complains of difficulty breathing in order to maintain patent airways. The next priority would be to administer 2 LPM oxygen via nasal cannula followed by encouraging a high calorie diet. Assisting the patient to find a suitable smoking cessation program is also an appropriate long-term goal for this patient.

Which nursing intervention is the highest priority for the p...

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Management of Care
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Category: Management of Care
Difficulty: 7

Topics: Delegation, Prioritization and Leadership Respiratory Acid-Base Health Care Quality Inflammation Nursing Interventions

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