pregnant with COPD

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Hi, I'm kinda confused with this scenario. If the pregnant (third trimester) client has COPD or let say asthma and she suddenly becomes dyspneic, are you going to increase O2 above 2 L? What's the best intervention for this pt? Thanks!

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If the fetus shows signs of distress O2 goes to 8 - 10 ml.

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If the fetus shows signs of distress O2 goes to 8 - 10 ml.

Really? What's the rationale? What's gonna happen to the pregnant woman? I thought that you will just put the pt with COPD in jeopardy if you increase the O2 more than 2L. Are you saying that this case is an exception since there is a fetus involved?

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Specializes in LTC, Med/Surg, Peds, ICU, Tele.

You know, sometimes the NCLEX covers some pretty obscure scenarios. A pregnant woman with COPD... :rolleyes:

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Really? What's the rationale? What's gonna happen to the pregnant woman? I thought that you will just put the pt with COPD in jeopardy if you increase the O2 more than 2L. Are you saying that this case is an exception since there is a fetus involved?

In the real world anyone in real respiratory distress will, sometimes, get the O2 cranked up. Even with COPD. Not often, but for extreme cases.

O2 insufficiency during pregnancy will hurt the fetus. The child will be brain damaged.

But where did you see this question? I sure didn't while reviewing.

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I think I'll need increased O2 when I take the NCLEX.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Asthma is treated differently to COPD. Some COPD will tolerate high flow oxygen for a short period and if the baby is in distress you need to look after the baby as well as the mother and if the mother can tolerate it for a period it will be better for the baby (less likely to get cerebral problems) However the likelihood on seeing COPD in someone young is rare although you can not discount it from happening

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Specializes in LTC, Med/Surg, Peds, ICU, Tele.

They should have a question like this:

What would be your FIRST action you would take for a NCLEX candidate who had the symptoms of shortness of breath, rapidly beating heart, tingly extremities and a sense of impending doom?

1) Call 911

2) Begin CPR

3) Calmly reassure him or her

4) Put a paper bag over his/her head

:clown:

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In the real world anyone in real respiratory distress will, sometimes, get the O2 cranked up. Even with COPD. Not often, but for extreme cases.

O2 insufficiency during pregnancy will hurt the fetus. The child will be brain damaged.

But where did you see this question? I sure didn't while reviewing.

It's in Lippincott's 9th ed of Q & A. The answer was to increase to 8-10 L and it didn't give any reason why? Thanks!

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ABC's.......for the baby.....i would also "guess" that COPD in some one this young, is prob asthma......and would not have the CO2 drive issue.....and since she is in hospital the poss. need for a vent is not that big of a deal....but you will damage/lose the fetus, if it is not properly oxygenated

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
ABC's.......for the baby.....i would also "guess" that COPD in some one this young, is prob asthma......and would not have the CO2 drive issue.....and since she is in hospital the poss. need for a vent is not that big of a deal....but you will damage/lose the fetus, if it is not properly oxygenated

Asthma is not in the same group as COPD although both are respiratory diseases. The treatments are slightly different.

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i was under, the apparently erroneous impression, that COPD was an umbrela dx. which asthma fell under......

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