A postoperative client displays sudden chest pain, shortness of breath, cyanosis, tachycardia, and low blood pressure. Which complication should the nurse suspect is occurring?

Question

1. Pneumonia
2. Atelectasis
3. Hypovolemia
4. Pulmonary embolism

Answer 1

4
Rationale 1: The client with pneumonia is likely to have a fever, but usually will not display sharp chest pain.
Rationale 2: Atelectasis can cause respiratory distress, but will not cause chest pain.
Rationale 3: Hypovolemia does not produce chest pain either, and will usually be displayed by tachycardia, decreased urine output, and drop in blood pressure.
Rationale 4: The client is displaying signs of pulmonary emboli, which will cause sudden chest pain and difficulty breathing.
Global Rationale: The client is displaying signs of pulmonary emboli, which will cause sudden chest pain and difficulty breathing. The client with pneumonia is likely to have a fever, but usually will not display sharp chest pain. Atelectasis can cause respiratory distress, but will not cause chest pain. Hypovolemia does not produce chest pain either, and will usually be displayed by tachycardia, decreased urine output, and drop in blood pressure.