Question

a client comes to the clinic for the third time in 2 months with chronic bronchitis. what clinical symptoms does the nurse anticipate assessing for this client?

sputum and a productive cough
tachypnea and tachycardia
fever, chills, and diaphoresis
chest pain during respiration

Explanation:

Chronic bronchitis is characterized by inflammation of the bronchial tubes, leading to excessive mucus production. A key clinical manifestation is a productive cough (cough that produces sputum) due to the accumulation of mucus in the airways. Tachypnea/tachycardia (option B) are more associated with acute respiratory distress or other acute conditions. Fever, chills, diaphoresis (option C) suggest infection like pneumonia, not typical chronic bronchitis. Chest pain during respiration (option D) is more related to conditions like pleurisy or pulmonary embolism, not chronic bronchitis. So the correct symptom for chronic bronchitis is sputum and a productive cough.

Answer:

A. Sputum and a productive cough