Question

a nurse is caring for a client who has a pelvic fracture. the client reports sudden shortness of breath, stabbing chest pain, and anxiety. the nurse should notify the charge nurse that the client is experiencing which of the following complications?

• pneumonia
• pulmonary embolus
• tension pneumothorax
• tuberculosis

Explanation:

A pelvic fracture can lead to blood clots in the lower extremities, which can then travel to the lungs (pulmonary embolus). Symptoms like sudden shortness of breath, stabbing chest pain, and anxiety align with pulmonary embolus. Pneumonia has more gradual onset with cough/fever, tension pneumothorax has respiratory distress with tracheal deviation, and tuberculosis has chronic symptoms like night sweats/cough.

Answer:

B. Pulmonary embolus