On assessment of a client, you note fremitus over the trachea but ...

[altibaby]

On assessment of a client, you note fremitus over the trachea but not in the lung periphery. You know that this most likely represents
 
  a. bilateral pleural effusion.
  b. bronchial obstruction.
  c. a normal finding.
  d. apical pneumothorax.

Question 2

A patient is admitted to the ICU with diagnosis of fever of unknown origin
 
  The patient is complaining of fatigue, malaise, joint pain, and shivering. VS include: T 103F, HR 90 beats/min, RR 22 breaths/min, BP 132/78, and O2 sat 94 on 2L/NC. Blood cultures are ordered. The patient has a history of MI 3 months ago. The nurse suspects that the patient has developed
 
  a. CAD.
  b. heart failure.
  c. endocarditis.
  d. pulmonary embolus.

[xiazhe]

Answer to Question 1

C
Fremitus is described as normal, decreased, or increased. With normal fremitus, vibrations can be felt over the trachea but are barely palpable over the periphery. With decreased fremitus, there is interference with the transmission of vibrations. Examples of disorders that decrease fremitus include pleural effusion, pneumothorax, bronchial obstruction, pleural thickening, and emphysema.

Answer to Question 2

C
Initial symptoms include fever, sometimes accompanied by rigor (shivering), fatigue, and malaise, with up to 50 of patients complaining of myalgias and joint pain. Blood cultures are drawn during periods of elevated temperature.