Question

Which of the following symptoms would the nurse expect to see in a client with a pleural effusion (Select all that apply)?

a) Cough
b) Pleuritic chest pain
c) Dyspnea
d) Decreased breath sounds

Answer 1

In a client with a pleural effusion, a nurse would expect to see symptoms such as cough, pleuritic chest pain, dyspnea, and decreased breath sounds. Pneumonia involves the alveoli filling with fluid and can indeed be caused by fungi. The contraction of external intercostal muscles increases lung volume, aiding in inhalation.

Step-by-step explanation:

The symptoms that a nurse would expect to see in a client with a pleural effusion include:

cough, pleuritic chest pain, dyspnea (difficulty breathing), and decreased breath sounds when listening to the chest with a stethoscope. Pleural effusions involve the collection of excess fluid in the pleural cavity, which can impair lung expansion and gas exchange, leading to these symptoms.

Pneumonia is described as a condition where the alveoli become inflamed and fill with fluid, obstructing the gas exchange process. This could be caused by various pathogens including bacteria, viruses, and even fungi — hence the statement 'Pneumonia can be caused by fungi' is true.

Contraction of the external intercostal muscles results in an upward and outward movement of the ribcage, not compression, which helps increase the volume of the thoracic cavity and assists in inhalation. This indicates that the correct answer is that it helps to increase the lung volume.