COPD Nursing Quiz: Manage the Breathless Patient

1. Which two lung changes are characteristic of COPD?

Emphysema and chronic bronchitis

Asthma and pulmonary fibrosis

Pneumonia and tuberculosis

Pulmonary edema and pleural effusion

2. A COPD patient presents with a barrel chest appearance. What structural change does this indicate?

Loss of elastic recoil and air trapping

Increased diaphragmatic strength

Fluid accumulation in the pleural space

Collapsed alveoli throughout the lungs

3. Which arterial blood gas pattern is expected in a COPD patient with acute exacerbation?

Respiratory acidosis with hypoxemia

Metabolic alkalosis with hyperoxia

Respiratory alkalosis with normal CO2

Metabolic acidosis with hypercapnia

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6. Which medication class is first-line for stable COPD management?

Inhaled corticosteroids alone

Long-acting bronchodilators (LAMA or LABA)

Oral theophylline

Intravenous antibiotics

7. Select all signs of acute COPD exacerbation requiring hospitalization.

Increased sputum production and change in color

Severe dyspnea at rest

Stable oxygen saturation above 95%

Altered mental status or confusion

Peak flow improvement over baseline

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8. A COPD patient reports pursed-lip breathing helps ease breathing. What physiologic benefit does this technique provide?

Increases intrathoracic pressure and slows expiration

Decreases diaphragmatic fatigue

Improves oxygen absorption in the alveoli

Reduces mucus production in airways

9. True or False: Cor pulmonale in COPD results from chronic hypoxia causing pulmonary hypertension and right heart strain.

True

False

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11. Which nursing intervention is most effective for a COPD patient experiencing pursed-lip breathing?

Encourage continuation and teach energy conservation

Discourage the technique to prevent hyperventilation

Increase supplemental oxygen immediately

Position patient supine to reduce work of breathing

12. A patient with COPD is prescribed a combination inhaler (ICS/LABA). What is the primary nursing concern?

Patient must rinse mouth after use to prevent oral candidiasis

This combination increases risk of pneumothorax

Long-acting beta-agonists cause immediate bronchospasm

Inhaled corticosteroids are contraindicated in COPD

13. Select all modifiable risk factors for COPD progression.

Cigarette smoking

Occupational dust and chemical exposure

Age over 65 years

Environmental air pollution

Female gender

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14. A COPD patient develops acute hypercapnia and respiratory acidosis. What is the immediate nursing action?

Notify provider and prepare for non-invasive ventilation if indicated

Increase oxygen to 6 L/min immediately

Administer IV sodium bicarbonate

Encourage coughing and deep breathing only

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16. True or False: Pulmonary rehabilitation in COPD includes exercise training, education, and psychosocial support to improve function and quality of life.

True

False

COPD Nursing Quiz: Can You Manage the Breathless Patient?

1. Which two lung changes are characteristic of COPD?

2.

What first name or nickname would you like us to use?

2. A COPD patient presents with a barrel chest appearance. What structural change does this indicate?

3. Which arterial blood gas pattern is expected in a COPD patient with acute exacerbation?

4. The primary mechanism of dyspnea in COPD is ____.

5. A patient on long-term oxygen therapy for COPD should maintain an oxygen saturation of at least ____% to prevent cor pulmonale.

6. Which medication class is first-line for stable COPD management?

7. Select all signs of acute COPD exacerbation requiring hospitalization.

8. A COPD patient reports pursed-lip breathing helps ease breathing. What physiologic benefit does this technique provide?

9. True or False: Cor pulmonale in COPD results from chronic hypoxia causing pulmonary hypertension and right heart strain.

10. The GOLD classification system stages COPD severity primarily based on ____.

11. Which nursing intervention is most effective for a COPD patient experiencing pursed-lip breathing?

12. A patient with COPD is prescribed a combination inhaler (ICS/LABA). What is the primary nursing concern?

13. Select all modifiable risk factors for COPD progression.

14. A COPD patient develops acute hypercapnia and respiratory acidosis. What is the immediate nursing action?

15. The term ____ refers to the abnormal enlargement of air spaces distal to the terminal bronchioles characteristic of emphysema.

16. True or False: Pulmonary rehabilitation in COPD includes exercise training, education, and psychosocial support to improve function and quality of life.