A nurse is caring for a client diagnosed with pulmonary embolism. Which new-onset assessment finding should a nurse expect in a client diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism?
Tachypnea.
Wet cough.
Dull chest pain.
Episodes of apnea.
The Correct Answer is A
A. Tachypnea: Tachypnea, or rapid breathing, is a common symptom of pulmonary embolism. It occurs as the body attempts to compensate for decreased oxygenation and increased carbon dioxide levels resulting from impaired blood flow to the lungs. Tachypnea helps to improve gas exchange by increasing ventilation.
B. Wet cough: A wet or productive cough may occur in conditions such as pneumonia or chronic bronchitis but is not typically associated with pulmonary embolism. Pulmonary embolism is more commonly characterized by symptoms such as dyspnea, chest pain, and tachypnea.
C. Dull chest pain: Chest pain associated with pulmonary embolism is often sharp and pleuritic, meaning it worsens with deep breathing or coughing. It may be described as stabbing or like a "knife-like" sensation. Dull chest pain is not a typical finding in pulmonary embolism.
D. Episodes of apnea: While severe cases of pulmonary embolism can lead to respiratory failure and apnea, it is not a common presenting symptom. Most clients with pulmonary embolism will exhibit tachypnea as a compensatory mechanism to maintain adequate oxygenation.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Irregular pulsations: Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are abnormal heartbeats originating in the ventricles, causing irregularities in the heart rhythm. Auscultating the apical pulse during PVCs may reveal irregular pulsations due to the irregular timing of ventricular contractions.
B. Bounding pulsations: Bounding pulsations are typically associated with conditions such as hypertension or aortic valve regurgitation but are not specifically characteristic of PVCs.
C. Tachycardia: PVCs may occur in the setting of tachycardia, but the presence of PVCs themselves does not necessarily indicate a rapid heart rate. The rhythm may be irregular due to PVCs, but the overall heart rate may not be consistently elevated.
D. Bradycardia: PVCs are not typically associated with bradycardia. Bradycardia refers to a slow heart rate, while PVCs involve premature extra beats originating from the ventricles.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Prolonged P-R interval: A prolonged P-R interval may indicate an atrioventricular (AV) block or conduction delay, but it is not specifically associated with hyperkalemia.
B. Peaked T waves: Peaked T waves are a classic EKG finding in hyperkalemia. Hyperkalemia can affect cardiac repolarization, leading to tall, peaked T waves on the EKG.
C. Elevated ST segment: An elevated ST segment may indicate myocardial injury or ischemia but is not typically associated with hyperkalemia.
D. Inverted P wave: An inverted P wave may indicate atrial enlargement or conduction abnormalities but is not specifically associated with hyperkalemia.
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