A patient presents to the Emergency Room with swollen legs and shortness of breath. He tells you that he has a history of heart failure which causes the fluid to build up m his legs and lungs. When you listen to his lung sounds you are most likely to hear which type of breathing sounds?
Rales
Crackles
Rhonchi
Stridor
The Correct Answer is B
Crackles, also known as rales, are discontinuous sounds that are typically heard during inspiration in patients with heart failure. These sounds are produced by the sudden opening of small airways and alveoli that are filled with fluid or collapsed due to pulmonary congestion. The sound can be described as similar to the sound of rubbing hair between fingers or the sound of Velcro being pulled apart.
Rhonchi are continuous, low-pitched sounds that are typically heard during expiration and are caused by the movement of air through narrowed airways, such as in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Stridor is a high-pitched, continuous sound that is typically heard during inspiration and indicates upper airway obstruction, which can be life-threatening. Neither rhonchi nor stridor are typically heard in patients with heart failure.
Therefore, based on the patient's history and symptoms, the most likely type of breathing sound to be heard on auscultation is crackles/rales.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Pulse oximetry is a non-invasive method of monitoring the oxygen saturation level in the blood. A normal range for oxygen saturation is between 95% and 100%. An oxygen saturation level of 89% indicates hypoxemia, which is a serious condition that can lead to tissue damage, organ failure, and even death if left untreated.
Therefore, the priority nursing action is to perform a respiratory assessment to determine the cause of the hypoxemia. This should include assessing the client's airway patency, breathing patern, lung sounds, and oxygen therapy if the client is already receiving it. The nurse should also observe for any signs of respiratory distress such as cyanosis, accessory muscle use, or difficulty breathing.
While it is important to document hypoxemia and report it to the healthcare provider, the priority at this time is to assess and intervene promptly to prevent further deterioration of the client's condition. Checking the placement of the pulse oximeter may be necessary if the reading is unreliable, but it is not the priority in this scenario.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Deep breathing or "diaphragmatic breathing" is a technique used to prevent recurrent pneumonia and improve lung function. During deep breathing, the patient is instructed to inhale deeply, expanding their lung volume as much as possible. This process is called inspiration.
Expiration, on the other hand, is the process of exhaling or breathing out air from the lungs. Intake refers to the process of taking in air or breathing in, while chest is a part of the body where the lungs are located.
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