A client with pulmonary edema is receiving oxygen therapy. What should the nurse assess to ensure the client's oxygenation needs are met effectively?

A) Correct. Pink, frothy sputum is often referred to as hemoptysis and is a common presentation in pulmonary edema.

B) Incorrect. Orthopnea refers to difficulty breathing when lying flat and is associated with heart failure but is not specifically related to pink, frothy sputum.

C) Incorrect. Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea (PND) is another symptom of heart failure but does not involve the coughing up of pink, frothy sputum.

D) Incorrect. Crepitus is a term used to describe a crackling or popping sound and is not directly related to the sputum seen in pulmonary edema.

A) Correct. Pink, frothy sputum, often described as "pink froth," is indicative of severe pulmonary edema with the presence of blood-tinged fluid in the alveoli.

B) Incorrect. A low-grade fever is not a typical sign of pulmonary edema and may indicate another underlying condition.

C) Incorrect. Clear breath sounds throughout the lung fields are not indicative of severe pulmonary edema, which often presents with crackles.

D) Incorrect. The absence of peripheral edema does not necessarily reflect the severity of pulmonary edema; it may be related to factors other than heart failure.