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1. A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) presents
with dyspnea, wheezes, and productive cough. The nurse suspects that
the patient has developed a respiratory infection. Which of the
following laboratory tests would be most useful to confirm this
diagnosis?
A) Arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis
B) Chest x-ray
C) Sputum culture*
D) Pulmonary function test
Rationale: A sputum culture can identify the causative organism of a
respiratory infection and guide the appropriate antibiotic therapy. ABG
2
analysis can assess the gas exchange and acid-base balance of the
patient, but it cannot diagnose an infection. Chest x-ray can show the
presence of consolidation, atelectasis, or pleural effusion, but it cannot
differentiate between bacterial, viral, or fungal infections. Pulmonary
function test can measure the lung volumes and capacities, but it
cannot detect an infection.
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