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.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A) Incorrect. Intravenous antibiotics are not typically used as the initial treatment for pulmonary embolism. Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections, not blood clots.
B) Correct. Anticoagulant therapy, such as heparin or low-molecular-weight heparin, is often the initial treatment for pulmonary embolism to prevent further clot formation and reduce the risk of complications.
C) Incorrect. Emergency surgical removal of the embolism is considered in severe cases but is not the common initial treatment approach.
D) Incorrect. Placement of a chest tube for drainage is not a standard treatment for pulmonary embolism; it is used for conditions involving pleural effusion or pneumothorax.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A) Incorrect. Chest X-rays can show certain abnormalities but are not the primary diagnostic tool for pulmonary embolism.
B) Incorrect. Electrocardiograms (ECGs) are used to assess heart rhythm and electrical activity but are not used to diagnose pulmonary embolism.
C) Incorrect. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be used in some cases, but CTPA is the preferred test for diagnosing pulmonary embolism.
D) Correct. Computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) is the gold standard for diagnosing pulmonary embolism as it can visualize blood clots in the pulmonary arteries.
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