The nurse is providing care for a patient admitted for a lower respiratory infection. On admission, the patient's vital signs were blood pressure (BP) 140/80 mm Hg. apical pulse (AP) 112 beats/minute, respirations (R) 32 breaths/minute, and pain level of 8 on a scale of 0 to 10. After assisting the patient to bed and applying the prescribed oxygen, which finding helps the nurse evaluate the effectiveness of nursing care?

C. Persistent shortness of breath after using an inhaler could indicate an inadequate response to treatment or worsening asthma exacerbation. The nurse should therefore see this patient first.
A. In COPD patients pulse oximetry oxygen saturations of more than 90% are acceptable. In the treatment of exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), oxygen should be titrated to achieve a target oxygen saturation range of 88-92%. This results in a greater than twofold reduction in mortality, compared with the routine administration of high-concentration oxygen therapy.
B. Administering antibiotics can be prioritized, but it may not require immediate attention compared to addressing acute respiratory distress or hypoxemia.
D. Collecting a sputum specimen for laboratory analysis is important for diagnosing and managing respiratory infections, but it may not be as time-sensitive as addressing acute respiratory distress or hypoxemia.

B. Expiratory wheezes are high-pitched, musical sounds produced by air passing through narrowed or obstructed airways. Wheezing is a hallmark sign of asthma, particularly during an exacerbation, and is usually more pronounced during expiration due to the increased effort required to expel air through the narrowed airways.
A. A pleural friction rub is a grating sound produced by the movement of inflamed pleural surfaces rubbing together. It is typically heard in conditions such as pleuritis (inflammation of the pleura) or pleurisy. This sound is not commonly associated with asthma exacerbations.
C. Rhonchi are low-pitched, snoring-like sounds that occur due to the presence of mucus or other secretions in the larger airways. While rhonchi can be heard in conditions with increased mucus production, such as bronchitis, they are not typically the primary sound associated with asthma exacerbations.
D. Fine rales, also known as crackles, are high-pitched, popping sounds heard during inspiration. They are usually associated with conditions involving fluid in the alveoli, such as pulmonary edema or interstitial lung disease. Crackles are not characteristic of asthma.