When assessing an individual during an acute (severe) asthma episode, you should expect to find (select all that apply)
use of accessory breathing muscles.
foul-smelling sputum.
feeling of chest tightness.
coughing.
expiratory wheezing.
Correct Answer : A,C,D,E
Choice A reason: Use of accessory breathing muscles is a sign of respiratory distress and increased work of breathing. Accessory muscles are the muscles of the neck, chest, and abdomen that assist the diaphragm and intercostal muscles in breathing. They are normally not used for breathing, but they are recruited when the airway is obstructed or the lung function is impaired.
Choice B reason: Foul-smelling sputum is not a sign of an acute asthma episode. It is a sign of a bacterial infection or a lung abscess. Sputum is the mucus that is coughed up from the lungs. It can have different colors, textures, and odors depending on the cause and severity of the condition.
Choice C reason: Feeling of chest tightness is a sign of an acute asthma episode. It is caused by the bronchoconstriction, or the narrowing of the airways, that occurs during an asthma attack. It can also be accompanied by pain or pressure in the chest.
Choice D reason: Coughing is a sign of an acute asthma episode. It is a reflex action that tries to clear the airways of mucus, irritants, or foreign particles. It can also be triggered by the inflammation and hypersensitivity of the airways that occur during an asthma attack.
Choice E reason: Expiratory wheezing is a sign of an acute asthma episode. It is a high-pitched whistling sound that is heard when the person exhales. It is caused by the turbulent flow of air through the narrowed airways. It can also be heard on inspiration, but it is more prominent on expiration.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: ACE inhibitors do not lower heart rate. They lower blood pressure by blocking the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II, which is a potent vasoconstrictor. Beta blockers are the drugs that lower heart rate and blood pressure.
Choice B reason: ACE inhibitors inhibit vasoconstriction. This is the correct statement that describes the action of these medications. By blocking the angiotensin II formation, they prevent the narrowing of the blood vessels and reduce the resistance to blood flow.
Choice C reason: ACE inhibitors do not increase aldosterone secretion. They decrease it. Aldosterone is a hormone that causes the kidneys to retain sodium and water, which increases blood volume and pressure. By blocking the angiotensin II formation, ACE inhibitors reduce the stimulation of aldosterone secretion and promote sodium and water excretion.
Choice D reason: ACE inhibitors do not promote sodium retention. They promote sodium excretion. As explained above, ACE inhibitors reduce the aldosterone secretion and prevent the kidneys from reabsorbing sodium and water. This lowers the blood volume and pressure.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason: This is not the cause of airway obstruction in asthma. Collapse of the cartilaginous rings in the bronchi is a feature of tracheobronchomalacia, a condition in which the airways are weak and floppy.
Choice B reason: This is not the cause of airway obstruction in asthma. Type II alveolar cell injury and decreased surfactant are associated with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), a condition in which the alveoli are damaged and filled with fluid.
Choice C reason: This is not the cause of airway obstruction in asthma. Alveolar changes and pulmonary congestion are seen in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a condition in which the alveoli are enlarged and lose their elasticity.
Choice D reason: This is the correct cause of airway obstruction in asthma. Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways, characterized by mucus secretion, bronchoconstriction, and airway edema. These factors reduce the diameter of the airways and increase the resistance to airflow.
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