The nurses aide notifies the nurse that a patient has decreased oxygen saturation levels. The nurse
Assesses the patient and finds that he is tachypnic, has crackles on auscultation, and his sputum is frothy and pink. The nurse should suspect what complication?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Flash pulmonary edema occurs when protein and fluid accumulate in the alveoli unrelated to elevated pulmonary artery occlusive pressure. Signs and symptoms include agitation; tachypnea; tachycardia; decreased pulse oximetry readings; frothy, pink sputum; and crackles on auscultation. Laryngospasm does not cause crackles or frothy, pink sputum. The patient with atelectasis has decreased breath sounds over the affected area; the scenario does not indicate this. A pulmonary embolism does not cause this symptomatology.

The Nurses Aide Notifies the Nurse That a Patient Has