An adult patient with a history of allergies comes to the clinic complaining of wheezing and difficulty in breathing when working in his yard.The assessment findings include tachypnea,the use of accessory neck muscles,prolonged expiration,intercostal retractions,decreased breath sounds,and expiratory wheezes.The nurse interprets that these assessment findings are consistent with:

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Asthma is allergic hypersensitivity to certain inhaled particles that produces inflammation and a reaction of bronchospasm,which increases airway resistance,especially during expiration.An increased respiratory rate,the use of accessory muscles,a retraction of the intercostal muscles,prolonged expiration,decreased breath sounds,and expiratory wheezing are all characteristics of asthma.(See Table 18-8 for descriptions of the other conditions.)

An Adult Patient with a History of Allergies Comes to the Clinic