Which COPD teaching item should be included?

• A. Regular exercise and activity.
• B. No smoking cessation recommended.
• C. Pursed lip breathing; Vaccines recommended; Small frequent meals.
• D. High-sodium diet only.

Answer: (C)

COPD teaching should equip patients with practical steps that ease breathing, reduce infections, and preserve energy and nutrition. Pursed-lip breathing helps control expiration, slows breathing, and decreases air trapping, making activities and stairs feel more manageable. Vaccines against influenza and pneumococcus are important because infections can trigger COPD flare-ups and hospitalizations. Small, frequent meals help prevent the increased dyspnea that full meals can cause and support steady energy and nutritional status, which COPD patients often need to maintain.

The other options miss key parts of comprehensive COPD care. Encouraging smoking cessation is essential, not avoiding it. A high-sodium approach can worsen fluid retention and isn’t the focus of COPD education. While regular exercise is valuable, the combination of breathing technique, vaccines, and nutrition forms a practical, well-rounded teaching item.