A patient was recently diagnosed with emphysema. Which of the following interventions should the nurse implement when caring for this patient?

Explanation

•Emphysema is a chronic lung condition that refers to the destruction of the alveoli. Emphysema was formerly chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but now is recognized as a separate disease process. Emphysema results from tobacco use or alpha-1 anti-trypsin deficiency.

•Appropriate nursing interventions for a patient with emphysema include postural drainage, chest physiotherapy, low-flow oxygen, high-Fowler's position, and increase of fluid intake to liquefy secretions.

•Postural drainage involves positioning the patient in specific positions for 5-10 minutes each to help clear the different lung fields of secretions.

•The patient should be placed in the high-Fowler's position to improve ventilation, not a prone or supine position.

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