Final answer:
A patient who recently had a knee replacement and suddenly experiences dyspnea (difficulty breathing) and chest pain may be experiencing pulmonary edema or an acute myocardial infarction (heart attack).
Step-by-step explanation:
A patient who recently had a knee replacement and suddenly experiences dyspnea (difficulty breathing) and chest pain may be experiencing pulmonary edema or an acute myocardial infarction (heart attack). Pulmonary edema is excess fluid in the air sacs of the lungs, commonly caused by heart and/or kidney failure. It can lead to difficulty breathing and chest pain. Acute myocardial infarction (heart attack) can cause sudden pain beneath the sternum, difficulty breathing, irregular heartbeat, nausea, sweating, anxiety, and fainting. These symptoms can be present in both males and females.