A male adult client is suspected of having a pulmonary embolism. A nurse assesses the client, knowing that which of the following is a common clinical manifestation of pulmonary embolism?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Dyspnea. Pulmonary embolism causes a blockage in the pulmonary arteries, leading to decreased oxygenation and subsequent shortness of breath. To assess for pulmonary embolism, a nurse would look for symptoms such as sudden onset dyspnea. Bradypnea (B) refers to abnormally slow breathing rate, which is not typically seen in pulmonary embolism. Bradycardia (C) is a slow heart rate, which may occur in some cases but is not a common clinical manifestation of pulmonary embolism. Decreased respirations (D) is too vague and does not specifically indicate the difficulty in breathing associated with pulmonary embolism.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Bronchodilators. In acute asthma, bronchodilators are the first-line treatment to quickly relieve bronchoconstriction and improve airflow. Inspiratory and expiratory wheezes indicate airway obstruction, and decreased forced expiratory volume suggests reduced airflow. Beta-adrenergic blockers (A) can worsen asthma symptoms by blocking beta-2 receptors, leading to bronchoconstriction. Inhaled steroids (C) are used for long-term asthma control and not for acute exacerbations. Oral steroids (D) are typically used in severe asthma exacerbations requiring systemic anti-inflammatory effects and are not the immediate first-line treatment for acute asthma.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: circulatory system. This system is most closely associated with respiration as it transports oxygen from the lungs to the body's tissues and removes carbon dioxide. The circulatory system includes the heart, blood vessels, and blood. The other choices (A: urinary, B: digestive, C: endocrine) are not directly involved in the process of respiration and do not play a significant role in the exchange of gases in the body.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Smoking causes bronchitis due to inflammation of bronchial tubes, emphysema by damaging air sacs in lungs, and lung cancer from carcinogens. Therefore, "D: all of the above" is correct as smoking leads to all these respiratory health issues. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect as smoking is linked to all three conditions.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Rise in level of CO2. Asphyxia occurs when there is a buildup of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the body, leading to a lack of oxygen supply to tissues. When CO2 levels rise, it can displace oxygen in the bloodstream, causing respiratory distress and potential suffocation. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because a fall in CO2 levels, a rise in O2 levels, or a fall in O2 levels do not directly cause asphyxia. This highlights the importance of understanding the physiological processes involved in respiration to identify the correct answer.