Question

A nurse caring for a client recently admitted to the ICU observes the client coughing up large amounts of pink, frothy sputum. Lung auscultation reveals course crackles to lower lobes bilaterally. Based on this assessment, the nurse recognizes this client is developing?

1) decompensated heart failure with pulmonary edema
2) tuberculosis
3) acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
4) bilateral pneumonia

Answer 1

Based on the client's symptoms of coughing up pink, frothy sputum and coarse crackles noted on auscultation, the nurse recognizes the client is most likely developing decompensated heart failure with pulmonary edema.

Step-by-step explanation:

The observations of the nurse attending to a client recently admitted to the ICU who is coughing up pink, frothy sputum, and exhibiting course crackles in the lower lobes bilaterally on auscultation, indicate the client is likely developing decompensated heart failure with pulmonary edema. This condition is characterized by an accumulation of excess fluid in the alveoli due to heart failure. It leads to coughing up pink, frothy sputum and hearing crackles or crepitations during lung auscultation due to the fluid in the air sacs. The other options, such as tuberculosis, acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and bilateral pneumonia, present with distinctly different symptoms or sputum characteristics.