Basic Care and Comfort

The nurse is caring for a client with COPD who complains of poor quality of sleep. Which question should the nurse ask next?

Posted on by NCLEX.ME Nurse
  • “Does your partner snore heavily?”
  • “Do you get exercise during the day?”
  • “How many pillows do you sleep on?”
  • “Do you eat large meals right before bed?”
Number 3 is correct.
Asking the client how many pillows she sleeps on evaluates the client for orthopnea, which is shortness of breath caused by lying down. The more pillows the client requires, the worse the orthopnea. This provides important information to the health care provider. Snoring partners, the amount of daily exercise the client gets, and eating heavy meals before bed also affect sleep; however, in the client with COPD, determining the extent of orthopnea will best help prescribe treatments.
NCLEX.ME Nurse