Final answer:
The assessment of the client with pericarditis may reveal chest pain that worsens with deep breathing and lying flat, among other symptoms like a dry cough and breathing difficulties. Diagnosis involves imaging and laboratory tests, as several pathogens can cause the condition.
Step-by-step explanation:
The assessment of the client with pericarditis may reveal chest pain that worsens with deep breathing and lying flat. Pericarditis is an inflammation of the pericardium and can cause significant chest discomfort which is typically sharp and worsens when the patient takes a deep breath or when lying down. This condition is often self-limiting but can also be associated with more complex presentations such as cardiac tamponade, where fluid accumulation in the pericardial space puts pressure on the heart and adversely affects its function.
Other symptoms can include a dry cough, difficulty breathing, and sometimes fever. Diagnosis of pericarditis typically involves imaging such as a chest radiograph or echocardiogram, and electrocardiogram (ECG), as well as laboratory tests to investigate the cause, which can include infection by bacteria like Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp., viruses, fungi, or parasites.
Choices such as bradycardia and hypotension, elevated blood pressure and headache, or profuse sweating and dizziness are less specific to pericarditis and are associated with other conditions such as myocardial infarction, systemic infections, or other heart disorders.