A patient who was admitted the previous day with pneumonia complains of a sharp pain whenever he takes a deep breath.Which action will the nurse take next?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A sharp pain with deep breaths is suggestive of pleurisy or pleuritic chest pain, which can occur in patients with pneumonia. Listening to the patient's lungs can help assess for any changes in breath sounds or the presence of pleural friction rubs that would support the diagnosis of pleurisy. Checking oxygen saturation (B) and having the patient cough forcefully (C) may provide additional information but are not the most appropriate next steps. The nurse should notify the healthcare provider (D) if the patient's condition worsens or if there are any concerns, but listening to the lungs is the next immediate action to assess the patient's respiratory status.

A Patient Who Was Admitted the Previous Day with Pneumonia