Question

A patient's primary care provider has informed the nurse that the patient will require thoracentesis. The nurse should suspect that the patient has developed which of the following disorders of lung function?

a) Tachypnea
b) Wheezes
c) Pneumonia
d) Pleural effusion

Answer 1

A patient's primary care provider has informed the nurse that the patient will require thoracentesis. The nurse should suspect that the patient has developed Pleural effusion, thus the correct option is d) Pleural effusion

Step-by-step explanation:

Thoracentesis is a procedure involving the insertion of a needle into the pleural space to remove excess fluid, which is indicative of a pleural effusion.

A pleural effusion occurs when there is an abnormal accumulation of fluid in the pleural cavity, the space between the lungs and the chest wall. This excess fluid can result from various conditions such as infection, heart failure, or malignancy.

Pleural effusion can lead to respiratory compromise as the accumulated fluid puts pressure on the lungs, hindering their ability to expand fully during inhalation. This restriction can cause symptoms like shortness of breath and chest discomfort.

Thoracentesis is performed to both diagnose the underlying cause of the pleural effusion and provide therapeutic relief by draining the excess fluid.

Differentiating the options:

a) Tachypnea refers to rapid breathing and is a non-specific sign that may accompany various respiratory disorders.

b) Wheezes are typically associated with conditions like asthma or bronchospasm.

c) Pneumonia involves inflammation and infection of the lung tissue, usually characterized by symptoms like cough, fever, and chest pain.

In summary, the need for thoracentesis points toward pleural effusion, emphasizing the importance of promptly addressing the underlying cause to improve respiratory function and overall patient well-being.

A patient's primary care provider has informed the nurse that the patient will require thoracentesis. The nurse should suspect that the patient has developed Pleural effusion, thus the correct option is d) Pleural effusion

Answer 2

The nurse should suspect that the patient has developed of Pleural effusion as the underlying disorders of lung function.

The correct option is D.

Explanation:

Thoracentesis is a procedure used to remove fluid or air from the pleural space around the lungs. It's typically performed when there's an abnormal accumulation of fluid in this space, known as pleural effusion.

Pleural effusion can result from various conditions like infections, congestive heart failure, cancer, or other lung diseases. It leads to compression of the lung tissue, causing breathing difficulties and discomfort. The necessity of a thoracentesis strongly indicates the presence or suspicion of pleural effusion as the underlying disorder affecting lung function.

So, the correct option is D.