Patient Data

Exhibits

During the assessment, the nurse notes that the areas are filled with a fluid-like substance.

Which of the following primary skin lesions contain fluid? Select all that apply.

C. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): COPD is a chronic respiratory condition characterized by airflow limitation, typically caused by chronic bronchitis and/or emphysema. In COPD, the airways become narrowed and inflamed, leading to difficulty breathing. Over time, chronic hypoxia (low oxygen levels in the blood) can develop due to impaired gas exchange in the lungs. Chronic hypoxia can trigger compensatory mechanisms in the body, including vascular changes that result in clubbing of the nails. Therefore, clubbed nails can often be seen in individuals with COPD as a consequence of chronic tissue hypoxia.

D. Lung cancer: Lung cancer is a malignant tumor that arises from the cells of the lungs. It is often associated with long-term smoking, as in the case of this client. Lung cancer can impair lung function and compromise gas exchange, leading to chronic hypoxia. As with COPD, chronic hypoxia can induce vascular changes that result in clubbing of the nails. Therefore, clubbed nails can be a manifestation of advanced lung cancer, particularly in cases where chronic hypoxia is present due to impaired lung function.

E. Chronic bronchitis: Chronic bronchitis is a type of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) characterized by inflammation and narrowing of the airways, leading to excessive mucus production and persistent cough. Similar to other forms of COPD, chronic bronchitis can result in chronic hypoxia due to impaired gas exchange in the lungs. The chronic hypoxia associated with chronic bronchitis can lead to vascular changes that cause clubbing of the nails over time. Therefore, individuals with chronic bronchitis may also exhibit clubbed nails as a consequence of chronic tissue hypoxia.

Choice A Reason:
Audible thud without pain is incorrect. An audible thud without pain would not be an expected response when percussing the costovertebral angle (CVA) in a client with pyelonephritis. Pyelonephritis typically presents with tenderness upon percussion of the CVA due to inflammation or infection of the kidneys. The absence of pain in this scenario would not be consistent with the expected response.
Choice B Reason:
Rigidity and firmness are incorrect. Rigidity and firmness upon percussion of the costovertebral angle (CVA) may suggest muscle tension or guarding, rather than the tenderness typically associated with kidney inflammation or infection such as pyelonephritis. While guarding can occur in response to pain, it is not the expected response when assessing for kidney tenderness.
Choice C Reason:
Rebound tenderness is incorrect. Rebound tenderness refers to the exacerbation of pain upon release of pressure, typically observed in conditions such as peritonitis. While rebound tenderness may be present in some abdominal conditions, it is not the expected response when percussing the costovertebral angle (CVA) to assess for kidney tenderness in pyelonephritis. In pyelonephritis, tenderness upon initial percussion is more indicative of the condition.
Choice D Reason:
Sharp, severe pain is correct. Sharp, severe pain upon percussing the CVA suggests tenderness, which can be indicative of kidney inflammation or infection, such as pyelonephritis. This finding would support the diagnosis and help guide further assessment and treatment.