A patient presents to the Emergency Room with swollen legs and shortness of breath. He tells you that he has a history of heart failure which causes the fluid to build up m his legs and lungs. When you listen to his lung sounds you are most likely to hear which type of breathing sounds?
Rales
Crackles
Rhonchi
Stridor
The Correct Answer is B
Crackles, also known as rales, are discontinuous sounds that are typically heard during inspiration in patients with heart failure. These sounds are produced by the sudden opening of small airways and alveoli that are filled with fluid or collapsed due to pulmonary congestion. The sound can be described as similar to the sound of rubbing hair between fingers or the sound of Velcro being pulled apart.
Rhonchi are continuous, low-pitched sounds that are typically heard during expiration and are caused by the movement of air through narrowed airways, such as in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Stridor is a high-pitched, continuous sound that is typically heard during inspiration and indicates upper airway obstruction, which can be life-threatening. Neither rhonchi nor stridor are typically heard in patients with heart failure.
Therefore, based on the patient's history and symptoms, the most likely type of breathing sound to be heard on auscultation is crackles/rales.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Sitting the patient up and encouraging deep breathing can help improve oxygenation and increase the pulse oximetry reading. This is a non-invasive intervention that can be implemented immediately to help improve the patient’s oxygen levels.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
c. Sip the water he is allowed to have slowly to make it last throughout the day.
Option a is not recommended as hard candies may contain sugar and artificial sweeteners, which can be harmful to the patient's health.
Option b is not recommended because caffeinated tea has diuretic properties that can increase urine output, leading to further dehydration.
Option d is not recommended as Gatorade is a sports drink that contains high amounts of sugar and electrolytes, which can lead to fluid overload and imbalances.
Sipping the water slowly can help the patient moisten his mouth without going over his fluid restriction. This approach can also help him pace his fluid intake throughout the day, which can be beneficial for maintaining proper hydration levels and managing fluid overload.
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