Nokea
A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is being assessed by a nurse. Which finding should the nurse expect?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Increased anterior-posterior (AP) chest diameter. In COPD, air trapping causes hyperinflation of the lungs, leading to an increase in the AP chest diameter known as barrel chest. This is a classic physical finding in patients with COPD due to chronic airway obstruction.
Explanation of other choices:
B: Decreased respiratory rate - In COPD, patients typically have an increased respiratory rate due to difficulty breathing.
C: Weight gain - Weight gain is not a typical finding in COPD and is more often associated with other medical conditions or lifestyle factors.
D: Productive cough with yellow sputum - While a productive cough is common in COPD, yellow sputum is more indicative of a bacterial infection rather than COPD alone.