An adult patient who smokes 3 packs of cigarettes a day was admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of pulmonary emphysema. When the nurse assessed the patient, she noticed shortness of breath and that the patient used his accessory muscles during respirations. The nurse is aware that the patient's dyspnea is due to:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The nurse is aware that the patient's dyspnea is due to difficulty in expelling the air trapped in the alveoli. Pulmonary emphysema involves destructive changes in the walls of alveoli that lead to air sac dilation. There is subsequent air trapping and difficulty with expiration.

An Adult Patient Who Smokes 3 Packs of Cigarettes a Day