You have been summoned to a retail store where you are directed to a middle-aged woman who was found in the bathroom on the toilet. Your assessment shows her to be responsive to painful stimuli with an open airway and labored breathing. Her pulse is fast and regular and her skin is warm to the touch. The primary assessment has been completed and the appropriate care given. As the stretcher is prepared, you perform the secondary assessment. When assessing her chest, you note the presence of crackles to both lungs. What should you do next?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Crackles are a sign of fluid in the lungs, which can be caused by a number of conditions, including pneumonia, heart failure, and pulmonary edema. Assessing the abdomen can help to rule out other causes of the crackles, such as ascites or a distended bladder.

You Have Been Summoned to a Retail Store Where You