A nurse is caring for a client who develops a sudden onset of dyspnea. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect if the client has a pulmonary embolus?
Expiratory rhonchi.
Petechiae over the lower extremities.
Hemoptysis.
Flattened neck veins.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A rationale:
Expiratory rhonchi are typically associated with conditions such as chronic bronchitis or asthma but are not specific to pulmonary embolism.
Choice B rationale:
Petechiae over the lower extremities is not a characteristic finding in pulmonary embolism. Petechiae are tiny red or purple spots that appear due to bleeding under the skin and may be associated with other conditions like thrombocytopenia.
Choice C rationale:
The correct choice. Hemoptysis, which refers to coughing up blood, is a concerning finding in pulmonary embolism. It occurs due to the obstruction of blood flow in the pulmonary vasculature, leading to blood leaking into the lungs.
Choice D rationale:
Flattened neck veins are more likely to be observed in conditions associated with decreased venous return to the heart, such as hypovolemia or cardiac tamponade, and are not directly related to pulmonary embolism.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Crackles are adventitious lung sounds that can be heard on auscultation and are commonly associated with pneumonia. They are caused by the movement of air through fluid-filled or collapsed alveoli, indicating inflammation and infection in the lungs.
Choice B rationale:
Crepitus is a different respiratory finding and is not typically associated with pneumonia. Crepitus is a crackling or grating sensation that can be felt under the skin, often caused by subcutaneous emphysema or gas trapped in the tissues, not within the lungs.
Choice C rationale:
Stridor is a harsh, high-pitched sound heard during inspiration and is usually indicative of upper airway obstruction, not pneumonia. It can be caused by conditions such as croup or anaphylaxis.
Choice D rationale:
Decreased fremitus is not a specific manifestation of pneumonia. Fremitus is the vibration felt when the patient speaks and is transmitted through the chest wall. In pneumonia, increased fremitus may be observed due to the consolidation of lung tissue with fluid or pus, not decreased fremitus.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Increased peristalsis would be a positive sign and not indicative of postoperative paralytic ileus. Increased peristalsis would mean the bowel is functioning well.
Choice B rationale:
Abdominal distension is a classic sign of postoperative paralytic ileus, where the bowel's motility is reduced or absent. This condition can lead to a buildup of gas and fluids, causing the abdomen to become distended.
Choice C rationale:
Proximal high-pitched bowel sounds can be a normal finding after surgery, but they are not indicative of paralytic ileus. They may even be heard as the bowel recovers its motility.
Choice D rationale:
Passing flatus is a positive sign, as it indicates that the bowel is working and the patient is passing gas. This is not indicative of a postoperative paralytic ileus, which is characterized by the absence of bowel movement.
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