A client with a history of myocardial infarction (MI) develops pulmonary edema. Which pathophysiological process is likely occurring in this client, leading to fluid accumulation in the lungs?

A) Incorrect. Hyperventilation leading to respiratory alkalosis may occur in response to respiratory distress but is not the primary cause of the sensation of "suffocation."

B) Incorrect. Reduced cardiac output may be a consequence of pulmonary edema, but it does not typically result in bradycardia, nor is it the primary cause of the sensation described.

C) Correct. In pulmonary edema, fluid accumulation in the alveoli impairs oxygen diffusion, leading to hypoxemia, which contributes to the sensation of "suffocation."

D) Incorrect. Elevated blood pressure and hypertension can be associated with heart failure but are not the primary factors contributing to the sensation of "suffocation" in pulmonary edema.

A) Correct. Pink, frothy sputum, often described as "pink froth," is indicative of severe pulmonary edema with the presence of blood-tinged fluid in the alveoli.

B) Incorrect. A low-grade fever is not a typical sign of pulmonary edema and may indicate another underlying condition.

C) Incorrect. Clear breath sounds throughout the lung fields are not indicative of severe pulmonary edema, which often presents with crackles.

D) Incorrect. The absence of peripheral edema does not necessarily reflect the severity of pulmonary edema; it may be related to factors other than heart failure.