Use this free practice quiz with 20 questions to review 3 COPD, test your knowledge, and prepare for your next test or exam.
A breathless patient with COPD is sitting in bed while the nurse assesses them. Positioning the patient upright, supporting the arms if comfortable, and coaching slow exhalation through pursed lips can help reduce the work of breathing.
True
False
Oxygen supports , so keep it away from smoking, flames, and other ignition sources.
Which nursing approach can help reduce COPD-related risks and support long-term management?
Recommend routine long-term bed rest and avoid discussing smoking.
Support smoking cessation and avoiding respiratory irritants.
Encourage the patient to change oxygen flow whenever anxious.
Recommend stopping prescribed medicines when symptoms improve.
Which program can be encouraged, when appropriate, to support a person living with COPD? Enter the program name.
A patient feels less short of breath and asks whether they can stop prescribed home oxygen. Which response is best?
Turn it down whenever breathing feels easier.
Use it only when feeling breathless, regardless of the prescription.
Continue as prescribed and ask a clinician to reassess oxygen needs before making changes.
Stop using it because oxygen is not useful for COPD.
A patient with COPD has low oxygen levels. Oxygen should be withheld solely because the patient has COPD, since it may worsen carbon dioxide retention.
True
False
For an acute COPD exacerbation with risk of hypercapnic respiratory failure, the commonly recommended initial oxygen saturation target is 88–92% while blood-gas results are pending. What is the lower endpoint? Enter a percentage value.
A patient with COPD has a prescribed short-acting bronchodilator for sudden symptoms. Which statement shows correct understanding?
Use it according to the prescription and seek help if severe symptoms persist or worsen.
Stop maintenance inhalers whenever using the rescue inhaler.
Take extra doses until breathlessness completely disappears.
Rely on the rescue inhaler instead of following an exacerbation action plan.
When symptoms suggest a COPD exacerbation, the patient should follow their individualized and contact a clinician promptly.
Which instructions support safe oxygen use at home? Select all that apply.
Keep oxygen away from smoking, flames, and other ignition sources.
Follow the prescribed flow and equipment instructions.
Use petroleum-based products near the oxygen equipment.
Make sure household members know that oxygen increases fire risk.
Change the oxygen flow whenever the patient feels anxious.
A patient with COPD reports more shortness of breath than usual, increased cough, and new yellow-green sputum. Which interpretation is most appropriate?
The symptoms are expected and do not require follow-up.
The patient may be having an exacerbation and should follow their care plan and promptly contact a clinician.
The patient should stop all prescribed inhalers until symptoms resolve.
The patient should increase home oxygen above the prescribed flow without guidance.
A patient with COPD arrives at the emergency department with worsening breathlessness and an oxygen saturation of 84% on room air. Which nursing action is best?
Withhold oxygen because oxygen can worsen carbon dioxide retention.
Give oxygen as prescribed, titrate to the target range, and promptly reassess oxygenation and clinical status.
Apply the highest oxygen flow available and leave it unchanged.
Ask the patient to breathe into a paper bag.
Which findings require urgent assessment and escalation in a patient with COPD? Select all that apply.
New confusion or unusual drowsiness
Severe breathlessness that makes speaking difficult
Blue or gray lips or fingernails
A sudden worsening that does not improve with the prescribed rescue plan
A stable, usual morning cough with no change in symptoms
A patient with COPD becomes increasingly drowsy and confused after oxygen is started. Describe the priority nursing response and what further evaluation or support may be needed.
True or false: Routine long-term bed rest is recommended for people with COPD to prevent complications.
True
False
Along with increased breathlessness and cough, what color of new sputum can signal a COPD exacerbation?
Which instruction helps reduce fire risk when using oxygen at home?
Use petroleum-based products near the oxygen equipment.
Keep oxygen away from smoking, flames, and other ignition sources.
Change the oxygen flow whenever the patient feels anxious.
Use oxygen only when feeling breathless, regardless of the prescription.
A patient with COPD becomes breathless while sitting in bed. Which action can help reduce the work of breathing while you assess the patient?
Lay the patient flat and coach rapid, deep breaths.
Sit the patient upright, support the arms if comfortable, and coach slow exhalation through pursed lips.
Ask the patient to hold each breath as long as possible.
Discourage coughing and keep the patient completely still.
A patient with COPD is breathless while sitting in bed. Which intervention can help reduce the work of breathing while the nurse assesses the patient?
Position the patient upright, support the arms if comfortable, and coach slow exhalation through pursed lips.
Place the patient flat and encourage rapid, deep breaths.
Discourage coughing and restrict all movement.
Ask the patient to hold each breath for as long as possible.
For a patient with an acute COPD exacerbation who is at risk of hypercapnic respiratory failure, what is the lower endpoint of the commonly recommended initial oxygen saturation target while blood-gas results are pending? Enter the value in percentage points.
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