Author Question: A patient is exhibiting dyspnea, orthopnea, cyanosis, clammy skin, crackles, and a productive cough ... (Read 126 times)

savannahhooper · **on:** Jun 25, 2018

A patient is exhibiting dyspnea, orthopnea, cyanosis, clammy skin, crackles, and a productive cough with pink, frothy sputum. Which health problem should the nurse suspect is occurring in this patient?

1. chronic heart failure
2. pulmonary edema
3. endocarditis
4. angina

Question 2

A patient is admitted with acute heart failure. The nurse recognizes that this condition is associated with an abrupt onset of which health problems?

Select all that apply.
1. cardiomyopathy
2. heart valve disease
3. coronary heart disease (CHD)
4. massive infarction (MI)
5. myocardial injury

fur · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 25, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Correct Answer: 2
Dyspnea, orthopnea, cyanosis, clammy skin, crackles, and productive cough with pink frothy sputum are signs and symptoms of pulmonary edema, which is considered a medical emergency. Not all patients with chronic heart failure have pink, frothy sputum. The presence of this symptom differentiates pulmonary edema from chronic heart failure. Endocarditis would manifest with pain and potentially fever. Angina is chest pain.

Answer to Question 2

Correct Answer: 4, 5
Acute failure is the abrupt onset of a myocardial injury (such as a massive MI) resulting in suddenly reduced cardiac function and signs of reduced cardiac output. Cardiomyopathy, valve disease, and coronary heart disease (CHD) are all associated with chronic heart failure.