The nurse notes that a patient has developed a cough productive for mucoid sputum, is short of breath, has cyanotic hands, and has noisy, moist-sounding, rapid breathing. These symptoms indicate:

Question

A) Pericarditis
B) Heart failure
C) Pulmonary edema
D) Right ventricular hypertrophy

Answer 1

Ans: C
Feedback: As a result of decreased cerebral oxygenation, the patient becomes increasingly restless and anxious. Along with a sudden onset of breathlessness and a sense of suffocation, the patient's hands become cold and moist, the nail beds become cyanotic (bluish), and the skin turns ashen (gray). The pulse is weak and rapid, and the neck veins are distended. Incessant coughing may occur, producing increasing quantities of foamy sputum. As pulmonary edema progresses, the patient's anxiety and restlessness increase; the patient becomes confused, then stuporous. Breathing is rapid, noisy, and moist-sounding. The symptoms described in the scenario are not those of pericarditis, heart failure, or right ventricular hypertrophy. Therefore options A, B and D are incorrect.