Question

The nurse is caring for an adult client with asthma. Which clinical manifestations of asthma should the nurse expect to see?

1) Dyspnea
2) Wheezing
3) Cough
4) Retractions
5) Bradycardia

Answer 1

The nurse should expect to see dyspnea, wheezing, cough, and retractions in a client with asthma. Bradycardia is not a typical symptom of asthma; a rapid pulse may be seen during severe attacks.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse caring for an adult client with asthma should expect to see several clinical manifestations. These include 1) Dyspnea, which is difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, 2) Wheezing, which refers to a high-pitched whistling sound made while breathing, 3) Cough, which is a common symptom, particularly at night or early in the morning, and 4) Retractions, which are the inward pulling of soft tissues around the chest when breathing. Although not commonly associated with asthma, 5) Bradycardia (slow heart rate) is not typically a symptom of asthma and is therefore not expected. Instead, you might observe a rapid pulse during a severe asthma attack.