A nurse is caring for a male client with acute respiratory distress syndrome. Which of the following would the nurse expect to note in the client?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Low arterial PaO2. In acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), there is inadequate oxygen exchange in the lungs, leading to low PaO2 levels. This is due to alveolar damage and decreased lung compliance. Pallor (choice A) is not a specific finding in ARDS. Elevated arterial PaO2 (choice C) is not expected in ARDS as it indicates sufficient oxygenation. Decreased respiratory rate (choice D) is not a typical finding in ARDS, as patients often have an increased respiratory rate to compensate for the poor oxygenation.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Increased red blood cells. In chronic bronchitis, the body compensates for chronic hypoxia by increasing red blood cell production (erythropoiesis) to improve oxygen delivery. This is known as polycythemia. Decreased platelets (A) and white blood cells (B) are not typical features of chronic bronchitis. Increased eosinophils (C) are more commonly associated with allergic conditions or parasitic infections, not chronic bronchitis. In summary, the increased red blood cells in chronic bronchitis help enhance oxygen-carrying capacity, distinguishing it from the other options.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because pleurisy is inflammation of the pleural membrane, causing pain during breathing due to friction between the inflamed layers. Choice A is incorrect as alveoli are not directly affected in pleurisy. Choice C is incorrect as pleurisy does not cause cramps in the diaphragm. Choice D is incorrect as the vagus nerve irritation is not a characteristic feature of pleurisy.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because hemoglobin releases oxygen more readily in highly active tissues due to increased metabolic demand for oxygen. This is known as the Bohr effect. Choice A is incorrect as hemoglobin binds oxygen in the lungs where oxygen partial pressure is high. Choice B is incorrect as hemoglobin actually releases oxygen in acidic conditions to increase oxygen delivery to tissues. Choice C is incorrect as hemoglobin releases oxygen in warmer areas to facilitate oxygen delivery to metabolically active tissues.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because it accurately describes the processes involved in respiration. Inspiration is the intake of oxygen, exchange of gases occurs in the lungs where oxygen is taken in and carbon dioxide is released, and expiration is the process of exhaling carbon dioxide. Option B is incorrect because aspiration refers to the act of inhaling foreign objects or substances, not a part of normal respiration. Option C is incorrect because it does not accurately describe the sequence of processes in respiration. Option D is incorrect as the processes listed in option A are indeed involved in respiration.