A patient has been diagnosed with primary emphysema but claims there is no history of smoking. What action by the healthcare professional is most appropriate?
A)Facilitate genetic testing on the patient.
B)Ask the family if the patient smokes.
C)Schedule pulmonary function studies.
D)Get baseline arterial blood gasses.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Although emphysema is usually caused by smoking, a mutation in the a₁-antitrypsin gene results in the development of the disease in younger, nonsmokers. The healthcare professional would facilitate this test. There is no reason to ask the family of a patient about the patient's smoking history unless the patient was unable to answer questions on his or her own. Pulmonary function studies will be done at some time, but does not help determine the etiology of the disease. Baseline arterial blood gasses would not be needed.

A Patient Has Been Diagnosed with Primary Emphysema but Claims