Case Study Pneumonia (Adult)
Productive cough and crackles
Bradycardia and hypotension
Elevated WBC and hypertension
Decreased WBC & clear lung sounds
The Correct Answer is A
A. Productive cough and crackles: These are hallmark signs of pneumonia. A productive cough indicates mucus in the airways, while crackles on auscultation suggest fluid and inflammation in the alveoli, consistent with lower respiratory tract infection.
B. Bradycardia and hypotension: Bradycardia is not typically associated with pneumonia. Hypotension can occur in severe or septic cases, but it is not specific or diagnostic. Neither finding is present in this case, nor do they support the pneumonia diagnosis.
C. Elevated WBC and hypertension: An elevated WBC count does support infection, but hypertension is not characteristic of pneumonia. Blood pressure changes are not diagnostic and may vary based on the individual’s baseline or stress response.
D. Decreased WBC & clear lung sounds: A low WBC count and clear lung sounds argue against an infectious process like pneumonia. These findings would more likely suggest that infection is absent or resolving, not active.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Determining the last time the patient was suctioned:The timing of previous suctioning is not a reliable indicator of current need. Suctioning is a clinical decision based on assessment, not a fixed schedule or time interval.
B. Auscultating the breath sounds:Listening to lung sounds helps detect the presence of secretions, such as crackles or rhonchi, indicating airway obstruction. This is the most direct and effective method to assess the need for suctioning in a tracheostomized patient.
C. Monitoring the rate of respirations:An increased respiratory rate can suggest respiratory distress but is non-specific and may result from various causes, including anxiety, fever, or pain. It does not definitively indicate the presence of secretions.
D. Examining the character of the sputum:Sputum characteristics provide information about infection or hydration status, but unless secretions are visibly present or obstructing the airway, they don’t confirm the immediate need for suctioning.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. "We will do a simple blood test.A blood test may show signs of infection, such as elevated white blood cells, but it cannot confirm RSV. It is not a specific or reliable method for diagnosing respiratory syncytial virus in infants.
B. "We will swab your child’s nose and send the specimen for testing.Nasopharyngeal swabs are commonly used to detect RSV using antigen detection or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing. The procedure is non-invasive, and highly specific for diagnosing RSV.
C. "We will have to sedate your child and do a CT scan of his chest."CT scans are not used to diagnose RSV and carry unnecessary risk, especially with sedation in infants. Imaging is reserved for complicated or atypical cases and does not confirm viral etiology.
D. “There is no specific test for RSV."There are several reliable tests available for detecting RSV, including rapid antigen tests and PCR from nasal secretions. Accurate testing is important for confirming diagnosis and preventing transmission.
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