You are responding to a 54-year-old female patient in respiratory distress.The patient is on home oxygen by nasal cannula at 1 lpm.The patient has diminished lung sounds bilaterally with wheezes.She appears malnourished and has a barrel chest.What condition do you suspect?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The patient's diminished lung sounds bilaterally with wheezes, malnourishment, and barrel chest are all indicative of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The patient's use of home oxygen also suggests COPD as a possible diagnosis. Bronchitis and asthma may present with similar symptoms, but the patient's predisposing factors make COPD more likely. Congestive heart failure would present with different symptoms such as pedal edema and crackles on lung auscultation.

You Are Responding to a 54-Year-Old Female Patient in Respiratory