Final answer:
A patient exposed to chlorine or chloramine would likely experience respiratory distress, which includes a variety of symptoms affecting the lungs and breathing. Protective measures are essential to prevent these effects during handling of chlorine.
Step-by-step explanation:
If a patient is exposed to chlorine or chloramine, you would expect to see complications such as respiratory distress. Symptoms might include difficulty breathing, chest tightness, wheezing, coughing, and a feeling of suffocation. Chlorine and chloramine can cause damage to the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs, with the potential for long-term respiratory problems if the exposure is severe. Due to the irritating and corrosive nature of chlorine, protective measures such as full-body suits and full-face masks are recommended during handling to prevent skin and respiratory exposure. When chlorine reacts with organic substances, chloramine is produced, which is also used in water disinfection, but this compound can be harmful if concentrations are too high or in the event of significant exposure.