A client complains of shortness of breath and having to sleep on three pillows to breathe comfortably at night. During the nurse's examination, what findings will suggest that the cause of this client's dyspnea is due to a heart condition rather than respiratory disease?

Clubbing of the fingers

Bilateral crepitus

Bilateral peripheral edema

Increased anteroposterior diameter

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

A. Clubbing of the fingers is a chronic finding associated with long-term hypoxia from respiratory diseases such as chronic lung disease or cystic fibrosis, not acute heart failure.
B. Bilateral crepitus suggests air trapping or alveolar collapse, which is more indicative of pneumonia or emphysema, rather than a primary cardiac cause.
C. Bilateral peripheral edema is correct. Dyspnea that worsens when lying flat (orthopnea) and the need for multiple pillows to sleep comfortably are signs of heart failure. Peripheral edema indicates fluid overload due to poor cardiac function.
D. Increased anteroposterior diameter is associated with chronic respiratory conditions like COPD, where lung hyperinflation leads to a "barrel chest" appearance. This is not a typical finding in heart failure.

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Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A. Systemic infection can cause fever, but older adults often present with atypical signs, including a lack of fever, rather than the classic response.
B. The presence of a productive cough, abnormal breath sounds, and shortness of breath suggests a respiratory infection rather than a cardiac issue.
C. While older adults may be more susceptible to hypothermia, the client’s symptoms align with infection rather than hypothermia.
D. "The client's normothermic temperature does not rule out the presence of an infection" is correct because older adults may have a blunted febrile response to infection due to age-related changes in thermoregulation. An absence of fever does not exclude infection in elderly patients.

A. Client is experiencing a fluid deficit. B. Adventitious sounds are present. C. Hyperinflation of the lungs. D. Client has a pectus carinatum.

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A. A fluid deficit may cause tachycardia and hypotension, but it does not directly cause diminished lung sounds.
B. Adventitious sounds (wheezes, crackles, rhonchi, etc.) are absent in this case. Diminished breath sounds suggest poor airflow, not abnormal sounds.
C. Hyperinflation of the lungs is correct. In conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or emphysema, lung expansion is limited, leading to diminished breath sounds in all lung fields due to air trapping. The oxygen saturation of 92% is consistent with chronic lung disease.
D. Pectus carinatum (protrusion of the sternum) is a congenital deformity that does not cause diminished breath sounds.

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A client complains of shortness of breath and having to sleep on three pillows to breathe comfortably at night. During the nurse's examination, what findings will suggest that the cause of this client's dyspnea is due to a heart condition rather than respiratory disease?

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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

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