Sara has been admitted to the unit for asthma exacerbation. Which assessment findings are commonly associated with asthma exacerbation? (Select all that apply)

Choice A reason: Decreased dyspnea and orthopnea reflect improved lung fluid clearance in heart failure. These symptoms lessen with reduced preload and better cardiac output, key goals indicating effective management and patient comfort.

Choice B reason: HgA1C <7 targets diabetes, not heart failure directly. While glycemic control benefits vasculature, it’s not a primary outcome measure for heart failure, which focuses on fluid and pump function instead.

Choice C reason: Reduced peripheral edema shows less fluid retention, a heart failure goal. It results from improved cardiac output and diuresis, alleviating discomfort and signaling successful treatment of volume overload.

Choice D reason: Stabilized or decreased BNP (<100 pg/mL ideally) indicates lower cardiac stress in heart failure. This biomarker drops with reduced wall tension, reflecting effective therapy and a key outcome measure.

Choice A reason: Cyanosis requires deoxygenated hemoglobin, not typical in anemia unless hypoxia coexists. Hypertension isn’t linked; anemia often lowers pressure from reduced viscosity, making this pair unlikely in severe cases.

Choice B reason: Pulmonary edema and fibrosis stem from heart or lung disease, not anemia directly. Low hemoglobin reduces oxygen delivery, but these reflect fluid or scarring, not primary anemic findings.

Choice C reason: Dyspnea and tachycardia occur in severe anemia as low hemoglobin limits oxygen transport. The heart compensates with faster beats, and lungs work harder, matching physiologic response to tissue hypoxia.

Choice D reason: Dysrhythmias may occur late in anemia from hypoxia, but wheezing suggests airway issues, not anemia. These aren’t primary findings; respiratory and cardiac strain manifest differently in this condition.