A client admitted with acute myocardial infarction suddenly displays air hunger, dyspnea, and coughing with frothy, pink-tinged sputum. What would the nurse anticipate when auscultating the breath sounds of this client?

Question

A client admitted with acute myocardial infarction suddenly displays air hunger, dyspnea, and coughing with frothy, pink-tinged sputum.  What would the nurse anticipate when auscultating the breath sounds of this client?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Acute-onset dyspnea and cough productive of pink, frothy sputum indicate severe pulmonary edema, likely a complication from myocardial infarction. Pink sputum results from ruptured bronchial veins due to high back pressure. The mix of blood and airway fluids creates the pink tinge. On assessment, crackles can be heard at the lung bases. (Option A) Bronchial breath sounds are normally heard over the trachea. These are harsh and high-pitched; inspiration and expiration are of similar duration. The presence of these on lung periphery indicates pneumonia (consolidation). (Option B) Clear vesicular breath sounds (normal breath sounds) are not expected in pulmonary edema. (Option D) Stridor is consistent with a laryngospasm or edema of the upper airway. Educational objective: Acute-onset dyspnea and cough with frothy, pink-tinged sputum indicate pulmonary edema. Auscultation reveals crackles at the lung bases.

A Client Admitted with Acute Myocardial Infarction Suddenly Displays Air