Question

A client comes to the doctor's office describing shortness of breath and strange breath sounds when inhaling deeply. Upon auscultation of the lung fields, sibilant wheezes are noted. Which of the following statements by the nurse most correct?

a. "Wheezes result from air passing through narrowed passages."
b. "Wheezes result from air escaping through a pneumothorax."
c. "Wheezes result from air collecting in the pleural cavity."
d. "Wheezes result from air between visceral and parietal pleurae."

Answer 1

The most correct statement by the nurse is that wheezes result from air passing through narrowed passages, typically seen in conditions such as asthma where airway restriction leads to characteristic high-pitched sounds.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a client presents with shortness of breath and strange breath sounds upon deep inhalation, and sibilant wheezes are heard during auscultation, the nurse's most correct statement would be: "Wheezes result from air passing through narrowed passages." Wheezing is associated with conditions where the airways are constricted, leading to the high-pitched sound as air moves through these restricted pathways. It is commonly seen in asthma, where inflammation and constriction of the airways occur.

Option b, c, and d are describing phenomena related to pleural space issues, such as pneumothorax and pleural effusion, which are not associated with wheezing but with other types of breath sounds and clinical presentations.