A patient has been admitted to the pulmonary unit of the hospital with right lower lobe pneumonia and history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).During the initial assessment the nurse notes that the patient has a respiration rate of 18 with retractions,tachycardia,and complains of dyspnea and dizziness.The nurse identifies that these are clinical signs of which condition?
A) Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea
B) Orthopnea
C) Hemoptysis
D) Hypoxia

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Dyspnea is a clinical sign of hypoxia.Dyspnea is the subjective sensation of breathlessness as perceived by the patient.Hypoxia is inadequate tissue oxygenation with a deficiency in oxygen delivery or oxygen utilization at the cellular level.Signs and symptoms of hypoxia include tachycardia,peripheral vasoconstriction,dizziness,and mental confusion.Dyspnea that occurs when a patient is sleeping is called paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea.The patient awakens in a panic,feels as if he or she is suffocating,and has a strong need to sit up to relieve the breathlessness.Orthopnea is an abnormal condition in which a patient has difficulty breathing when lying down and has to use multiple pillows or sit to breathe.Hemoptysis is bloody sputum.It is associated with coughing and bleeding from the upper respiratory tract,from sinus drainage,or from the gastrointestinal tract.

A Patient Has Been Admitted to the Pulmonary Unit of the Hospital