A nurse is educating a client about the signs and symptoms of a pulmonary embolism. Which symptom should the nurse emphasize as a common and concerning presentation of pulmonary embolism?
"Chest pain that worsens with deep breaths."
"Persistent cough with yellow-green mucus production."
"Lightheadedness and dizziness upon standing."
"Swelling and redness in the lower legs."
The Correct Answer is A
A) Correct. Chest pain that worsens with deep breaths (pleuritic chest pain) is a common and concerning symptom of pulmonary embolism.
B) Incorrect. Persistent cough with yellow-green mucus production is not a typical symptom of pulmonary embolism.
C) Incorrect. Lightheadedness and dizziness can be associated with pulmonary embolism but are less specific symptoms.
D) Incorrect. Swelling and redness in the lower legs are more indicative of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which can sometimes lead to pulmonary embolism but are not direct symptoms of pulmonary embolism.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A) Incorrect. This description is more aligned with a lung infection, such as pneumonia, not pulmonary embolism.
B) Correct. Pulmonary embolism is typically caused by a blood clot that travels to the lungs and obstructs the pulmonary arteries.
C) Incorrect. Prolonged exposure to environmental toxins is not the primary cause of pulmonary embolism.
D) Incorrect. Chronic inflammation in the airways is characteristic of conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) but not pulmonary embolism.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A) Correct. Computed tomography angiography (CTA) is often used as an initial screening tool for pulmonary embolism, as it provides detailed images of the pulmonary arteries.
B) Incorrect. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be used in some cases but is less commonly employed as an initial screening tool for pulmonary embolism.
C) Incorrect. Chest X-ray is typically not sensitive enough to diagnose pulmonary embolism directly but may show other related findings, such as an enlarged heart or lung abnormalities.
D) Incorrect. Electrocardiogram (ECG) may help identify signs of right heart strain or dysfunction caused by a pulmonary embolism but is not a primary diagnostic tool for detecting emboli in the pulmonary arteries.
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