A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) says, I'm not going to take a flu shot ...

Correct Answer: 2,3
Rationale 1: Even if this is a true statement, the nurse should encourage clients with COPD to take the influenza immunization.
Rationale 2: Once an outbreak of influenza occurs, immunization is no longer effective.
Rationale 3: It is difficult to treat influenza in any population, and those with chronic lung diseases are particularly difficult to treat.
Rationale 4: The influenza vaccine changes year to year based upon the probability of which strains will be most active.
Rationale 5: Most influenza outbreaks take place in the winter, so waiting until January is not advisable.
Global Rationale: Once an outbreak of influenza occurs, immunization is no longer effective and pharmacotherapy of the active infection may be initiated. Because treatment of influenza infection is minimally effective, the best approach for dealing with this infection is through prevention. The nurse should not minimize this patient's need for immunization. The immunization must be administered annually. January is late for an immunization.