Question

A client is treated in the emergency department with reports of dyspnea, cough, and sharp pain that increases with exertion. The nurse auscultates diminished breath sounds, and the health care provider prescribes a chest x-ray. What does the nurse suspect this will indicate?

a) Pulmonary embolism
b) Pneumonia
c) Pleural effusion
d) Spontaneous pneumothorax

Answer 1

b) Pneumonia

Based on the symptoms of dyspnea, cough, and sharp chest pain, along with diminished breath sounds and the prescribing of a chest x-ray, the nurse suspects the client may have pneumonia. Pneumonia is characterized by fluid-filled alveoli, which would be indicated by a shadow on the chest radiograph.

Step-by-step explanation:

A client reporting dyspnea, cough, and sharp pain that increases with exertion, coupled with diminished breath sounds upon auscultation, could indicate several possible conditions. Given these symptoms and the decision to order a chest x-ray, the nurse might suspect the presence of a pulmonary embolism, pneumonia, pleural effusion, or a spontaneous pneumothorax. However, based on the clinical vignettes provided, which mention symptoms such as hypoxemia, crackling sounds during breathing, and a chest radiograph showing a "shadow" in the lung, the nurse is likely suspecting pneumonia. This condition involves the alveoli filling with fluid, mucus, and pus, which presents as areas of opacity or "shadow" on the x-ray, impairing gas exchange and leading to difficulty in breathing.