What should a nurse advise a client with COPD when developing a discharge plan?

For a client with COPD, it is important for a nurse to provide realistic expectations regarding their condition, especially when developing a discharge plan. While patients may wish to maintain their health status or experience improvement, the progressive and chronic nature of COPD often means that individuals are at an increased risk for respiratory infections due to compromised lung function and mucus clearance.

Advising clients that they can expect to develop respiratory infections more easily helps them understand the need for vigilance in managing their symptoms and recognizing potential exacerbations early. This knowledge can empower patients to adopt preventive measures, such as regular vaccinations, proper hand hygiene, and avoiding exposure to respiratory irritants, which can ultimately lead to a better quality of life.

In contrast, maintaining the current health status, requiring less supplemental oxygen, and showing permanent improvement are either unrealistic or overly optimistic expectations for someone with a chronic condition like COPD. Such messages could lead to misunderstanding the nature of their disease management and the importance of ongoing care and symptom monitoring.