Question

A patient is breathing 24 times a minute with shallow chest wall motion and absent alveolar breath sounds. The pulse ox reads 94​ percent, and the nail beds are ashen. Which of these findings most clearly indicates inadequate​ breathing?

A. Ashen nail beds
B. Absent alveolar breath sounds
C. Low pulse ox finding
D. Breathing at 24 times a minute

Answer 1

The absence of alveolar breath sounds most clearly indicates inadequate breathing in the given scenario.

Step-by-step explanation:

A patient who is breathing 24 times a minute with shallow chest wall motion and absent alveolar breath sounds, along with an oximeter reading of 94 percent and ashen nail beds, most clearly exhibits inadequate breathing due to the absence of alveolar breath sounds. Alveolar breath sounds indicate the movement of air into and out of the alveoli, which is essential for effective ventilation and gas exchange. The absence of these sounds suggests that there is inadequate air movement and ventilation in the lungs, leading to decreased oxygen levels in the blood.