The family of a patient who has been on long-term corticosteroids brings him to the emergency department. The wife states that, "He just started coughing forcefully and began complaining of chest pain
Now he is having a little difficulty breathing." The nurse should assess the patient for
a. muscle spasm.
b. myocardial infarction.
c. broken ribs.
d. pleuritis.
ANS: C
Because the patient has been on long-term therapy with corticosteroids, he is at risk for osteoporosis. The most common areas affected are the ribs and vertebrae, which are subject to osteoporotic fractures. The nurse should assess the patient for broken ribs, because he was coughing forcefully and now is having difficulty breathing.
Nothing indicates that the patient has a muscle spasm.
There is no apparent indication that the patient is experiencing a myocardial infarction.
Nothing indicates that the patient has pleuritis.
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