The nurse is caring for a patient who has been in a motor vehicle accident and the care team suspects that the patient has developed pleurisy. Which of the nurse's assessment findings would best corroborate this diagnosis?
A) The patient is experiencing painless hemoptysis.
B) The patient's arterial blood gases (ABGs) are normal, but he demonstrates increased work of breathing.
C) The patient's oxygen saturation level is below 88%, but he denies shortness of breath.
D) The patient's pain intensifies when he coughs or takes a deep breath.
Ans: D
Feedback:
The key characteristic of pleuritic pain is its relationship to respiratory movement. Taking a deep breath, coughing, or sneezing worsens the pain. The patient's ABGs would most likely be abnormal and shortness of breath would be expected.
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