A nurse is listening to the lungs of a hospitalized post-surgical patient and notes diminished breath sounds in the right lower lobe. The patient has an elevated temperature and green sputum. These findings could indicate _____ because of _____.
nosocomial pneumonia; lung tissue atelectasis
lung tissue atelectasis; community-acquired pneumonia
pulmonary edema; right heart failure
pulmonary edema; left heart failure
The Correct Answer is A
A. Nosocomial (hospital-acquired) pneumonia is common in post-surgical patients, particularly those with atelectasis, as diminished ventilation can lead to infection. The green sputum and fever are signs of infection.
B. Lung tissue atelectasis may predispose a patient to pneumonia, but community-acquired pneumonia is less likely in a hospitalized patient, and the green sputum is more indicative of nosocomial infection.
C. Pulmonary edema is associated with fluid in the lungs but does not typically cause green sputum or elevated temperature, which suggest infection.
D. Left heart failure may lead to pulmonary edema but is not associated with green sputum or fever.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Preload is typically increased in LHF, as blood backs up in the left side of the heart.
B. Although pleural effusion can occur as a secondary complication in some cases of heart failure, it is not as directly indicative of LHF as pulmonary edema.
C. Peripheral edema is more characteristic of right heart failure, where blood backs up in the systemic circulation.
D. Pulmonary edema is a hallmark finding in left heart failure as the left ventricle fails to pump effectively, causing fluid to accumulate in the lungs due to back pressure from the left atrium into the pulmonary veins.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Bleeding in the brain could cause neurological symptoms but does not directly correlate with the respiratory acidosis indicated by the ABGs.
B. Anxiety typically leads to respiratory alkalosis due to hyperventilation, which does not align with the results showing acidemia.
C. The ABG results indicate a primary respiratory acidosis (low pH and elevated PCO2), which can occur in kidney failure due to the kidneys' inability to excrete acids and manage bicarbonate, leading to an accumulation of CO2.
D. Extreme vomiting is associated with metabolic alkalosis due to loss of gastric acid, which does not explain the acid-base disturbance presented.
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