A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has left-sided heart failure. Which of the following manifestations should the nurse include in the teaching?

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.

Wear a lead apron when providing client care. Internal radiation therapy (brachytherapy) is a type of treatment that uses a radioactive source placed inside or near the tumor . The nurse should wear a lead apron to protect themselves from exposure to radiation when caring for the client. The other actions are not appropriate for a client receiving internal radiation therapy.