A nurse is assessing a client with a history of substance abuse. Which substance is known to increase the risk of developing pulmonary edema when used excessively?

A) Incorrect. Regular exercise is generally beneficial for heart health and would not increase the risk of pulmonary edema.

B) Incorrect. Smoking cessation is a positive health behavior and does not increase the risk of pulmonary edema.

C) Incorrect. Hypertension control is important for reducing the risk of heart-related complications and pulmonary edema.

D) Correct. Prior heart muscle damage, such as from a myocardial infarction (MI), increases the risk of heart failure and subsequently 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.