Which of the following clinical signs indicate that a patient is having a problem with retained se-cretions?

1. Copious amounts of sputum production
2. Labored breathing
3. Development of a fever
4. Increased inspiratory and expiratory crackles
a. 1 and 4 only
b. 1, 2, and 3 only
c. 3 and 4 only
d. 2, 3, and 4 only


ANS: D
Bedside findings such as a loose, ineffective cough, labored breathing pattern, de-creased/bronchial breath sounds, coarse inspiratory and expiratory crackles, tachypnea, tachycar-dia, or fever may indicate a potential problem with retained secretions.

Health Professions

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