A 60-year-old client develops acute shortness of breath and progressive hypoxia, requiring mechanical ventilation after repair of a fractured right femur. The hypoxia was probably caused by which of the following conditions?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Long bone fractures are correlated with fat emboli, which cause shortness of breath and hypoxia. It's unlikely the client has developed asthma or bronchitis without a previous history. He could develop atelectasis, but it typically doesn't produce progressive hypoxia.

A 60-Year-Old Client Develops Acute Shortness of Breath and Progressive