Aclient who has chronic heart failure tells the nurse, "I felt fine when I went to bed, but I woke up in the middle of the night feeling like I was suffocating!" Which of the following information should the nurse document related to this assessment?
A)Pulsus alternans
B)Two-pillow orthopnea
C)Acute bilateral pleural effusion
D)Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea is caused by the reabsorption of fluid from dependent body areas when the client is sleeping and is characterized by waking up suddenly with the feeling of suffocation. Pulsus alternans is the alternation of strong and weak peripheral pulses during palpation. Orthopnea indicates that the client is unable to lie flat because of dyspnea. Pleural effusions develop over a longer time period.

Aclient Who Has Chronic Heart Failure Tells the Nurse, "I