A nurse on a Medical-Surgical unit is caring for a client who has a suspected malignant lesion. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect when assessing the lesion? (Select all that apply.).

Choice A rationale:

Drowsiness alone may not be a reliable indicator of pain, as it can result from various factors such as medications or the postoperative recovery process. While pain might cause drowsiness in some cases, it is not a definitive nonverbal sign of pain.

Choice B rationale:

Grimacing is a nonverbal behavior that often indicates pain or discomfort. It involves facial expressions of pain, such as frowning or wincing. Grimacing is a significant indicator that the nurse should consider in assessing the client's pain level.

Choice C rationale:

Screaming is a more overt expression of pain and discomfort. However, it is less common in a postoperative setting and might also be associated with anxiety or other emotional states. While it can indicate pain, it's not as reliable a marker as grimacing, moaning, or restlessness.

Choice D rationale:

Moaning is a nonverbal behavior that can signal pain in a postoperative client. It's an audible expression of discomfort and should be considered as a potential indication of pain.

Choice E rationale:

Restlessness can be an indication of pain as well. The client may shift positions frequently or exhibit signs of agitation in response to pain. However, restlessness can also have other causes, such as anxiety or medication effects.

Choice A rationale:

Asthma - Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition characterized by bronchoconstriction, inflammation, and increased mucus production. It does not typically present with absent breath sounds, deviation of the trachea, or hyperresonant percussion sounds. Wheezing is a common finding in asthma.

Choice B rationale:

Pneumothorax - This is the correct choice. The scenario describes classic signs of a tension pneumothorax, which is a medical emergency. The tracheal deviation, absence of breath sounds, and hyperresonant percussion note on the affected side are indicative of air accumulation in the pleural space, leading to lung collapse and displacement of mediastinal structures.

Choice C rationale:

Atelectasis - Atelectasis refers to the collapse or incomplete expansion of a lung or part of a lung. It can lead to decreased breath sounds on auscultation but does not usually cause tracheal deviation or hyperresonance on percussion. It is not the best fit for the described signs.

Choice D rationale:

Pneumonia - Pneumonia is an infection of the lung tissue that can cause symptoms like fever, cough, and productive sputum. Breath sounds may be diminished over the affected area due to consolidation, but the absence of breath sounds, tracheal deviation, and hyperresonance point more strongly toward a pneumothorax in this case.