A patient with pulmonary edema has a respiratory rate of 28 per minute. The nurse realizes this rate is evidence of
1. dehydration.
2. decreased lung compliance.
3. decreased work of breathing.
4. reduced muscle activity.
2
Rationale: Decreased compliance increases the work of breathing and causes a decreased tidal volume. The breathing rate increases to compensate for the decreased tidal volume. Examples of pulmonary disorders causing decreased lung compliance include pulmonary edema. This patient's increased respiratory rate is not due to dehydration or to a decrease in the work of breathing. Ventilation involves the actual work of breathing and requires nervous system control and adequate functioning of the lungs and conducting airways, thorax, and ventilatory muscles. Decreased functioning of any one of these factors will affect the body's ability to ventilate properly. There is no evidence to suggest that the patient is having a problem with ventilation.
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