1. A nurse is assigned to care for a patient with chronic obstructive

pulmonary disease (COPD) who is admitted to the hospital with an

acute exacerbation. The nurse reviews the patient's care plan and

notes that the patient has a goal of maintaining oxygen saturation

above 90%. Which of the following interventions should the nurse

prioritize to achieve this goal?

a) Administer bronchodilators as prescribed

b) Encourage pursed-lip breathing and diaphragmatic breathing

c) Monitor oxygen saturation continuously and adjust oxygen therapy

accordingly

d) Teach the patient about the benefits of smoking cessation

*Answer: c) Monitor oxygen saturation continuously and adjust oxygen

therapy accordingly*

Rationale: Monitoring oxygen saturation continuously and adjusting

oxygen therapy accordingly is the most important intervention to

maintain adequate oxygenation in a patient with COPD.

Bronchodilators, pursed-lip breathing, diaphragmatic breathing, and

smoking cessation are also beneficial, but they are not as urgent as

oxygen therapy.