The nurse is talking with a client who has COPD. The client reports the chest shape seems to have changed over the past year. What information should be provided by the nurse?
A) "Your chest diameter has increased as the musculature has matured in an effort to obtain increased amounts of oxygen."
B) "Your lung condition limits the ability of the lungs to fully exhale, causing this change in shape."
C) "Chronic lung conditions such as this are associated with fluid retention in the lower lung fields, causing the change in the chest shape."
D) "The corticosteroids prescribed to manage the condition have caused a change in the shape of the chest wall."

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In COPD, the client's chest becomes overinflated over time because of an inability to exhale fully. This increases the anterior/posterior chest diameter, resulting in a barrel-shaped appearance.

The Nurse Is Talking with a Client Who Has COPD