Question

the nurse is auscultating the clients lung sounds to determine the presence of pulmonary edema. what adventitious lung sounds are significant for pulmonary edema? pleural friction rub low - pitched rhonchi during expiration crackles in the lung bases sibilant wheezes

Explanation:

To determine the adventitious lung sound significant for pulmonary edema, we analyze each option:

• Pleural friction rub: Associated with pleural inflammation, not pulmonary edema.
• Low - pitched rhonchi during expiration: Usually related to airway obstruction (e.g., from secretions), not specific to pulmonary edema.
• Crackles in the lung bases: Pulmonary edema causes fluid accumulation in the alveoli and interstitial spaces. When air moves through the fluid - filled alveoli, crackles (especially in the lung bases due to gravity - dependent fluid accumulation) are produced. This is a classic sign of pulmonary edema.
• Sibilant wheezes: Typically related to bronchospasm (e.g., in asthma), not pulmonary edema.

Answer:

C. Crackles in the lung bases