A nurse is caring for a client who has been prescribed an antibiotic. The client tells the nurse, "I don't like taking medications because I don't think I need them." Which of the following responses should the nurse make?

A hacking cough, especially at night or when lying down, is a common manifestation of left-sided heart failure, as fluid accumulates in the lungs and causes pulmonary congestion and dyspnea. Neck-vein distention and ankle edema are more indicative of right-sided heart failure, as fluid backs up into the systemic circulation and causes peripheral edema and jugular venous pressure elevation. Anorexia may occur in either type of heart failure, but it is not specific to left-sided heart failure.

An acute asthma attack is a sudden worsening of asthma symptoms, such as coughing, wheezing, tightness in the chest, and difficulty breathing. These symptoms happen because the airways in the lungs become narrow, irritated, swollen, and produce excess mucus.

An asthma attack can be triggered by various factors, such as allergic reactions, respiratory infections, tobacco smoke, cold air, and exercise. These triggers cause the immune system to react and release chemicals that cause inflammation and constriction of the airways.

Based on this information, the best answer to the question is a. Inability to exhale retained carbon dioxide. This is because during an asthma attack, the narrowed airways make it harder to exhale the air from the lungs, which leads to a buildup of carbon dioxide in the blood. This can worsen the symptoms and cause acidosis, a condition where the blood becomes too acidic.

The other options are not correct because:

b. Acute loss of alveolar elasticity is not a cause of asthma attacks, but a consequence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a different lung condition that involves damage to the alveoli, the tiny air sacs in the lungs.
c. Decreased responsiveness of airways to allergens is not a cause of asthma attacks, but a goal of asthma treatment. Asthma medications aim to reduce the sensitivity and inflammation of the airways to prevent or reduce the frequency and severity of asthma attacks.
d. Suppressed bronchiolar inflammatory response is not a cause of asthma attacks, but a potential side effect of some asthma medications, such as corticosteroids. These drugs can suppress the immune system and increase the risk of infections in the airways.