During a cardiovascular assessment, the nurse auscultates a soft, blowing sound over the left upper sternal border. What does this finding suggest?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Heart murmur. The soft, blowing sound heard over the left upper sternal border indicates the presence of turbulent blood flow within the heart, which is characteristic of a heart murmur. This finding suggests abnormal flow patterns, such as valve dysfunction or structural abnormalities. Heart failure (C) typically presents with other symptoms like edema and shortness of breath. Normal heart sounds (A) do not include blowing sounds. Aortic stenosis (D) would present with a harsh systolic ejection murmur, not a soft blowing sound.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Fine crackles on auscultation. In ARDS, the alveoli become filled with fluid, leading to the crackling sound. Fine crackles indicate the presence of fluid in the small airways, which is a hallmark of ARDS. Wheezing (B) is more commonly associated with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Decreased tactile fremitus (C) may suggest pleural effusion or pneumothorax, not ARDS. Dullness on percussion (D) is seen in conditions like pneumonia or pleural effusion, not specifically ARDS. Therefore, the presence of fine crackles on auscultation is the most consistent finding with ARDS.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Upper airway obstruction. A prolonged inspiratory phase suggests difficulty with air intake, which is commonly seen in upper airway obstructions such as foreign body aspiration, croup, or epiglottitis. Asthma (A) typically presents with prolonged expiratory phase, COPD (B) with decreased expiratory phase, and pulmonary fibrosis (C) with decreased lung compliance and restrictive pattern, not affecting inspiratory phase.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The hypothalamus is the primary regulator of body temperature, making Choice C correct. Located in the brain, the hypothalamus acts as the bodys thermostat, receiving input from thermoreceptors and initiating responses like sweating or shivering to maintain a stable core temperature around 98.6°F (37°C). Medulla, is incorrect because the medulla oblongata primarily controls autonomic functions like heart rate and breathing, not temperature regulation. Sebaceous glands, refers to oil-producing skin glands with no role in temperature control. Wernickes area, is a brain region involved in language comprehension, unrelated to thermoregulation. The hypothalamus integrates signals from the body and environment, adjusting heat production and loss via mechanisms like vasodilation or muscle activity. Its critical role in homeostasis distinguishes it from the other options, confirming C as the correct answer supported by physiological evidence.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Sympathetic nervous system, is correct as it regulates arteriovenous shuntsvessels linking arteries and veinsto control heat exchange. When cold, it constricts shunts, retaining heat; when hot, it dilates them, releasing heat. Autonomic nervous system, is broader (includes sympathetic and parasympathetic), but only sympathetic handles this. Parasympathetic, focuses on rest (e.g., digestion), not thermoregulation. All of the above, overextends. The sympathetic system, via norepinephrine, adjusts blood flow to skin, balancing core temperature (e.g., 98.6°F). Nursing notes this in pallor (cold) or flushing (heat). Thus, C is accurate per autonomic physiology.