A nurse is assessing a client who has severe pain in the shoulder, which radiates down the arm. The nurse notes that the client has ptosis, miosis, and enopthalmus. The laboratory reports of the client indicate the presence of lesions on the thoracic inlet. What should the nurse interpret from these findings?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The symptoms of severe pain in the shoulder, radiating down the arm, along with ptosis, miosis, and enopthalmus are classic signs of Pancoast syndrome, which is caused by the presence of tumors in the lung apex. The lesions on the thoracic inlet reported in the laboratory reports also support this diagnosis. Trousseau's syndrome is a condition of hypercoagulability associated with malignancy, Lambert-Eaton syndrome is a neuromuscular disorder, and syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone is a condition characterized by excess fluid retention. None of these conditions would be indicated by the symptoms and laboratory findings described in this scenario.

A Nurse Is Assessing a Client Who Has Severe Pain