HESI 799 RN Exit Exam Capstone Related

Review HESI 799 RN Exit Exam Capstone related questions and content

A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is admitted with increasing shortness of breath. What is the nurse's priority action?

  • A. Administer oxygen via nasal cannula.
  • B. Reposition the client to improve breathing.
  • C. Perform chest physiotherapy.
  • D. Encourage the client to cough and deep breathe.
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Administer oxygen via nasal cannula. Oxygen therapy is the priority intervention for a client with COPD experiencing increasing shortness of breath. It helps improve oxygenation and relieve respiratory distress. Choice B is not the priority as oxygenation needs to be addressed first. Choice C, chest physiotherapy, may be beneficial but is not the immediate priority in this situation. Choice D, encouraging the client to cough and deep breathe, is not the priority intervention when oxygenation is compromised.