Fundamentals of Nursing Q 380
Nurse Sue teaches a patient about pursed lip breathing. The nurse identifies that the teaching is affected when the patient says its purpose is to:
A. Precipitate coughing
B. Help maintain open airways
C. Decrease intrathoracic pressure
D. Facilitate expectoration of mucus
Correct Answer: B. Help maintain open airways
Pursed-lip breathing involves deep inspiration and prolonged expiration against slightly closed lips. The pursed lips create a resistance to the air flowing out of the lungs, which prolongs exhalation and maintains positive airway pressure, thereby maintaining an open airway and preventing airway collapse. Pursed lip breathing is beneficial for people with chronic lung disease. It can help strengthen the lungs and make them more efficient.
Option A: Deep breathing and huff coughing, not pursed-lip breathing, stimulate effective coughing. Deep breathing prevents air from getting trapped in the lungs, which can cause the client to feel short of breath. As a result, the client can breathe in a more fresh air.
Option C: Pursed lip breathing increases, not decreased intrathoracic pressure. Pursed lip breathing is a simple technique for slowing down a person’s breathing and getting more air into their lungs. With regular practice, it can help strengthen the lungs and make them work more efficiently. The technique involves breathing in through the nose and breathing out slowly through the mouth.
Option D: The huff coughing stimulates the natural cough reflex and is effective for clearing the central airways of sputum. Saying the word huff with short forceful exhalations keeps the glottis open, mobilizes sputum, and stimulates a cough. When one has COPD, mucus can build up more easily in the lungs. The huff cough is a breathing exercise designed to help one cough up mucus effectively without making one feel too tired. A huff cough should be less tiring than a traditional cough, and it can keep one from feeling worn out when coughing up mucus.