A patient with asthma is admitted with severe dyspnea and is unable to speak. The nurse finds that the patient looks drowsy and confused. Which other finding would the nurse expect?
Peak flow of more than 40%
Bradycardia
Loud and prominent wheezing
Arterial blood gas is deteriorating
The Correct Answer is D
A. A peak flow of more than 40% would indicate that the patient's asthma is not in an acute exacerbation. This patient's symptoms, such as confusion and inability to speak, suggest a severe asthma attack, and the peak flow would likely be much lower.
B. Bradycardia is not typically associated with severe asthma exacerbations. Tachycardia is more commonly observed as the body attempts to compensate for hypoxia.
C. Loud and prominent wheezing is usually seen in less severe cases of asthma. In this case, the inability to speak and confusion suggest severe respiratory distress, where wheezing might be diminished or absent due to poor air movement.
D. Deteriorating arterial blood gas (ABG) results, with low oxygen levels (hypoxemia) and elevated carbon dioxide levels (hypercapnia), would be expected in a patient with severe asthma exacerbation. These signs indicate respiratory failure and the need for urgent intervention.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. The letter "M" in cancer staging refers to metastasis, or whether cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
B. "D" is not part of the TNM staging system for cancer.
C. "T" in the TNM staging system refers to the size of the primary tumor and its extent in the tissue.
D. "N" refers to the extent of regional lymph node involvement but not metastasis to distant organs.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Hirsutism, or excessive hair growth, is more commonly associated with conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or Cushing’s syndrome, rather than Addison’s disease.
B. Hyperpigmentation is a characteristic sign of Addison’s disease. Due to insufficient cortisol production in the adrenal glands, there is an increase in melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH), which leads to darkening of the skin, particularly in areas exposed to friction like elbows, knees, and the face.
C. Purple striations are a common finding in Cushing’s syndrome, which results from excessive cortisol production. They are not typically seen in Addison's disease.
D. Intention tremors are more commonly associated with neurological conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease, rather than Addison’s disease, which primarily affects the adrenal glands.
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