A nurse is caring for a client with pulmonary edema. Which assessment finding should the nurse prioritize when monitoring the client's respiratory status?
Skin temperature and color
Urinary output
Bowel sounds
Peripheral edema
The Correct Answer is A
A) Correct. Skin temperature and color can provide important clues about tissue perfusion and oxygenation, which are critical in pulmonary edema.
B) Incorrect. While urinary output is important, it is not the primary focus when monitoring respiratory status in pulmonary edema.
C) Incorrect. Bowel sounds are unrelated to pulmonary edema and should not be the priority assessment.
D) Incorrect. Peripheral edema may be a sign of fluid retention, but skin color and temperature are more directly related to respiratory status.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A) Correct. Increased hydrostatic pressure in pulmonary capillaries, often due to left ventricular failure, leads to the filtration of fluid from the capillaries into the alveoli and interstitial spaces, causing pulmonary edema.
B) Incorrect. Decreased capillary permeability is not typically a primary factor in the development of pulmonary edema.
C) Incorrect. Enhanced lymphatic drainage from the lungs is not a primary mechanism responsible for the accumulation of fluid in pulmonary edema.
D) Incorrect. Elevated colloid osmotic pressure in pulmonary vessels would oppose fluid accumulation in the alveoli and is not a primary cause of pulmonary edema.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A) Incorrect. Oxygen saturation levels are typically assessed using pulse oximetry and are not provided by an echocardiogram.
B) Incorrect. Blood pressure measurements are not directly assessed through an echocardiogram.
C) Correct. An echocardiogram provides valuable information about the structure and function of the heart, which can help diagnose the underlying cause of pulmonary edema, such as heart failure.
D) Incorrect. A white blood cell count is not part of an echocardiogram and is not used to diagnose pulmonary edema.
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