The home care nurse is caring for a patient who has severe COPD and home oxygen therapy. The patent tells the nurse that she feels much better after increasing the oxygen flowmeter from 2 L to 5 L/min. The patient's pulse oximetry is 98%. What is the priority action of the nurse?
A) Reduce the oxygen flow rate until the patient's pulse oximetry value is more than 90%.
B) Inform the patient's physician and obtain an order for oxygen at 5 L/min.
C) Document the intervention and findings in the patient's medical record.
D) Listen to the patient's lung fields and reinforce pursed-lip breathing techniques.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The goal of long-term therapy for the patient with COPD is usually to have an oxygen saturation level of more than 90%, which represents adequate delivery of oxygen to the tissues. Oxygen saturation may decrease during exercise, sleep, or deterioration of the respiratory status. For the patient with COPD, use low-flow oxygen delivery only
(F1F1F1S1F1F1F10 2 L/min) unless a higher level of oxygen administration is indicated by low oxygen saturation levels. High-flow oxygen may lead to respiratory suppression caused by loss of the patient's drive to breathe. The nurse should reduce the oxygen flow rate until the patient's pulse oximetry is more than 90% and educate the patient about oxygen therapy for COPD.

The Home Care Nurse Is Caring for a Patient Who