Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 64%
Full-length
A client with a fractured leg is exhibiting shortness of breath, pain upon deep breathing, and hemoptysis. What do these clinical manifestations indicate to the nurse?
Correct answer
B
Rationale
Shortness of breath, pleuritic pain, and hemoptysis are classic signs of pulmonary embolus, often associated with immobility from a fracture. CHF (A) causes edema, ARDS (C) causes diffuse respiratory failure, and tension pneumothorax (D) causes tracheal deviation.