A patient is exhibiting dyspnea, orthopnea, cyanosis, clammy skin, crackles, and a productive cough with pink, frothy sputum. Which health problem should the nurse suspect is occurring in this patient?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The combination of dyspnea, orthopnea, cyanosis, clammy skin, crackles, and a productive cough with pink, frothy sputum is indicative of pulmonary edema, which is a buildup of fluid in the lungs commonly seen in patients with chronic heart failure. Endocarditis is an infection of the heart valves, and angina is a type of chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart. While these conditions may cause some of the symptoms mentioned, they do not fit the full picture presented in the question.

A Patient Is Exhibiting Dyspnea, Orthopnea, Cyanosis, Clammy Skin, Crackles