A nurse is collecting data on a client who has obstructive sleep apnea. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

A. Treatment is not needed if the client is asymptomatic.

Even asymptomatic pulmonary embolisms can lead to complications such as progression to symptomatic PE or development of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension. Therefore, treatment is necessary to prevent these complications.

B. Treatment is not needed if the pulmonary embolism is intermediate.

The severity of a pulmonary embolism is determined by various factors, including the size and location of the clot and the degree of obstruction in the pulmonary arteries. Intermediate-risk pulmonary embolisms still require treatment to prevent complications and reduce the risk of progression to a more severe or life-threatening condition.

C. Treatment is not needed if the client is hemodynamically stable.

Hemodynamic stability refers to the client's circulatory status and whether they are maintaining adequate blood flow to vital organs. While hemodynamically stable clients may not require aggressive interventions such as thrombolytic therapy or surgical embolectomy, they still require anticoagulant therapy to prevent further clot formation and reduce the risk of complications.

D. Treatment is needed for all clients who have a pulmonary embolism.

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition that requires prompt treatment. Regardless of the severity of symptoms or the client's hemodynamic stability, treatment is necessary to prevent complications and reduce the risk of recurrence. Treatment typically includes anticoagulant therapy to prevent further clot formation and may include additional interventions such as thrombolytic therapy or surgical interventions in certain cases.

A. Inspiratory stridor

Inspiratory stridor is a high-pitched, musical sound heard during inspiration and is typically caused by turbulent airflow due to partial obstruction of the upper airway. It is commonly associated with conditions such as croup, epiglottitis, or anaphylaxis. While respiratory distress may occur in a pneumothorax, inspiratory stridor specifically suggests an upper airway obstruction rather than a pneumothorax.

B. Expiratory wheeze

Expiratory wheeze is a high-pitched, musical sound heard during expiration and is typically associated with conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or bronchiolitis. Wheezing occurs due to narrowing of the airways, leading to turbulent airflow during expiration. While a pneumothorax can cause respiratory distress, it is not typically associated with wheezing.

C. Absence of breath sounds

The absence of breath sounds over a particular area of the chest can indicate a pneumothorax. In a pneumothorax, air accumulates in the pleural space, causing partial or complete collapse of the lung and preventing it from making contact with the chest wall. This absence of breath sounds over the affected area is a classic finding in a pneumothorax and is crucial for its detection.

D. Coarse crackles

Coarse crackles are discontinuous, bubbling or popping sounds heard during inspiration and may be indicative of conditions such as pneumonia, pulmonary edema, or bronchiectasis. These crackles are typically heard when there is fluid or mucus in the airways. While a pneumothorax can cause respiratory distress, it does not typically produce crackles on auscultation.