The nurse is caring for an older patient who was hospitalized 2 days earlier with community-acquired pneumonia. Which assessment information is most important to communicate to the health care provider?

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The patient's low SpO₂ despite receiving a high fraction of inspired oxygen (FIO₂)indicates the possibility of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The patient's blood-tinged sputum and scattered crackles are not unusual in a patient with pneumonia,although they do require continued monitoring. The continued temperature elevation indicates a possible need to change antibiotics,but this is not as urgent a concern as the progression toward hypoxemia despite an increase in O₂flow rate.

The Nurse Is Caring for an Older Patient Who Was