A nurse is educating a client with pulmonary embolism about the importance of early recognition of symptoms. Which symptom should the client be advised to report immediately?
Mild shortness of breath during activities
Chest pain that worsens with deep breathing
Mild swelling in the ankles
Occasional cough with clear sputum
The Correct Answer is B
A) Incorrect. Mild shortness of breath during activities may not be unusual, but sudden or severe shortness of breath should be reported.
B) Correct. Chest pain that worsens with deep breathing or coughing may indicate a worsening of the pulmonary embolism and should be reported immediately.
C) Incorrect. Mild swelling in the ankles is not typically a sign of a pulmonary embolism. However, severe leg swelling or pain should be evaluated.
D) Incorrect. An occasional cough with clear sputum is not necessarily a sign of a pulmonary embolism. However, if the cough becomes severe or is associated with other symptoms, it should be reported.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A) Correct. Chest pain that worsens with deep breaths (pleuritic chest pain) is a common and concerning symptom of pulmonary embolism.
B) Incorrect. Persistent cough with yellow-green mucus production is not a typical symptom of pulmonary embolism.
C) Incorrect. Lightheadedness and dizziness can be associated with pulmonary embolism but are less specific symptoms.
D) Incorrect. Swelling and redness in the lower legs are more indicative of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which can sometimes lead to pulmonary embolism but are not direct symptoms of pulmonary embolism.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A) Correct. Computed tomography angiography (CTA) is often used as an initial screening tool for pulmonary embolism, as it provides detailed images of the pulmonary arteries.
B) Incorrect. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be used in some cases but is less commonly employed as an initial screening tool for pulmonary embolism.
C) Incorrect. Chest X-ray is typically not sensitive enough to diagnose pulmonary embolism directly but may show other related findings, such as an enlarged heart or lung abnormalities.
D) Incorrect. Electrocardiogram (ECG) may help identify signs of right heart strain or dysfunction caused by a pulmonary embolism but is not a primary diagnostic tool for detecting emboli in the pulmonary arteries.
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