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 (
•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.