Question

The nurse is assessing a 65-year-old client who complains of being short of breath when lying flat. The nurse places the client in high Fowler position and the client's breathing improves. Which unexpected finding is the client experiencing?

1) Kussmaul breathing
2) Apnea
3) Hyperventilation
4) D. Orthopnea

Answer 1

The unexpected finding the client is experiencing is Orthopnea, which is difficulty breathing when lying flat. Placing the client in the high Fowler position helps alleviate the shortness of breath and improves breathing. Kussmaul breathing, apnea, and hyperventilation are not applicable in this case.

Step-by-step explanation:

The unexpected finding that the client is experiencing is Orthopnea.

Orthopnea is a medical condition characterized by difficulty breathing when lying flat. It is commonly observed in individuals with heart failure or other cardiac conditions. Placing the client in the high Fowler position, which is an upright sitting position, helps alleviate the shortness of breath and improves breathing by reducing the pressure on the diaphragm and promoting lung expansion. Kussmaul breathing refers to a type of deep and rapid breathing that occurs in metabolic acidosis, apnea is the absence of breathing, and hyperventilation refers to increased rate and depth of ventilation.