The nurse is planning care for a client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).The client's symptoms are wheezing,tachycardia,increased respiratory rate,coughing up yellow mucus,and a low oxygen level.The highest-priority nursing diagnosis is:

Question

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The client's symptoms indicate impaired gas exchange, which is the inability to adequately oxygenate and/or eliminate carbon dioxide. This is a life-threatening condition and the priority nursing diagnosis that requires immediate attention. The nurse should implement interventions such as administering oxygen, encouraging deep breathing exercises, and monitoring the client's respiratory status closely. Falls, deficient knowledge, and anxiety are important nursing diagnoses but are of lower priority compared to the potential consequences of impaired gas exchange.

The Nurse Is Planning Care for a Client with Chronic