Exhibits

Click to highlight the findings that indicate that the client's condition is improving. To deselect a finding, click on the finding again.

1400:

Client admitted to the medical-surgical unit at 1200 today. Alert and orientated x4, heart and lung sounds clear. Client urinating 100 mL/hour. Client is tolerating soft diet and oral fluids. Bowel sounds are hyperactive in all 4 quadrants. Bilateral pedal pulses 2+. Blood glucose 310 mg/dL (74 to 106 mg/dL)

1400:

Temperature 36.8° C (98.2° F) Pulse rate 84/min Respiratory rate 16/min

Blood pressure 106/76 mm Hg Oxygen saturation 96% on room air

C. During an asthma attack, the airways narrow, making it difficult to exhale. This traps air in the lungs, including carbon dioxide.

A This might be true for someone with poorly controlled asthma, but during an acute attack, the airways are already hypersensitive and constricted in response to triggers.

B. This is the opposite of what happens in asthma. Asthma is characterized by inflammation in the airways.

D. Alveolar elasticity refers to the ability of the air sacs in the lungs to recoil after being inflated. While this can be a problem in some lung diseases, it's not the primary issue in an acute asthma attack.

Echocardiogram results would provide information about the structure and function of the heart, particularly regarding any changes in cardiac function or wall motion abnormalities that might have been detected during the acute phase. It does indicate signs of improvement.
B. Blood pressure is an important vital sign that reflects cardiovascular status. In the context of acute coronary syndrome or myocardial infarction, a stable or improving blood pressure indicates adequate perfusion to vital organs, including the heart. A decrease in blood pressure from hypertensive levels seen earlier could indicate stabilization of the client's condition.
C. Urinary output is a critical indicator of renal perfusion and function. During acute illness, including cardiac events, decreased urinary output can indicate poor perfusion due to decreased cardiac output or hypoperfusion. In this scenario the output is still inadequate.
D. Pain level, specifically chest pain in the context of acute coronary syndrome, is a subjective indicator of the client's cardiac status. A reduction in pain intensity, as reported by the client, can indicate that the treatment, such as nitroglycerin for angina, is effective in relieving myocardial ischemia. Therefore, a decrease in pain level suggests improvement in the client's cardiac condition.
E. Respiratory rate is another vital sign that reflects the client's respiratory effort and overall respiratory status. In the context of acute cardiac events, respiratory rate can increase due to pain, anxiety, or respiratory distress. A decrease in respiratory rate suggests improved respiratory comfort and potentially reduced cardiac workload, indicating improvement in the client's condition.
F. Heart rate is a crucial vital sign that reflects cardiac workload and rhythm. In acute coronary syndrome, tachycardia is often present due to sympathetic stimulation and the body's response to myocardial ischemia. A decrease in heart rate suggests that the client's cardiac workload has decreased, possibly indicating improved myocardial perfusion and stability.
G. Oxygen saturation reflects the amount of oxygen bound to hemoglobin in the blood, which is essential for tissue oxygenation. In acute cardiac events, hypoxemia can occur due to impaired cardiac function or respiratory compromise. Improvement in oxygen saturation indicates improved tissue oxygenation, possibly due to effective management of cardiac function or respiratory support.