PN Adult Medical Surgical Practice Exam

Which statement indicates a client's understanding of pursed-lip breathing for COPD?

1. "I should perform pursed-lip breathing exercises before going to bed."

2. "When I'm fatigued, I should inhale slowly through pursed lips."

3. "Pursed-lip breathing works best for activities like walking up stairs."

4. "I will exhale through my nose after breathing in through pursed lips."

The correct answer is: "Pursed-lip breathing works best for activities like walking up stairs."

Pursed-lip breathing is a technique that helps individuals with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) to manage their breathing during physical exertion. The primary purpose of this breathing method is to improve ventilation by preventing airway collapse, which allows for increased oxygen exchange. The correct statement about this technique highlights its practical application during activities such as walking up stairs, where patients may experience dyspnea or shortness of breath. When engaging in physical activities, using pursed-lip breathing helps patients control their breath, promotes relaxation, and reduces the work of breathing. As they exhale through pursed lips, it creates back pressure in the airways, which helps keep them open longer and facilitates a more efficient exhale. This is particularly beneficial during activities that can increase respiratory effort, such as climbing stairs. In contrast, performing pursed-lip breathing exercises before bed may not leverage its benefits effectively since it is designed to be beneficial during moments of increased exertion or breathlessness. Inhaling through pursed lips when fatigued does not accurately reflect the purpose of the technique, which emphasizes prolonged, controlled exhalation rather than inhalation. Similarly, exhaling through the nose goes against the principles of pursed-lip breathing, which