Question

the nurse assesses a client for a possible pulmonary embolism. what frequent sign of pulmonary embolus does the nurse anticipate finding on assessment?
tachypnea
syncope
cough
hemoptysis

Explanation:

To determine the frequent sign of pulmonary embolism (PE), we analyze each option:

• Tachypnea (rapid breathing) is a very common and early sign of PE as the body tries to compensate for reduced oxygenation due to the embolus blocking pulmonary blood flow.
• Syncope (fainting) is not a frequent initial or common sign of PE; it may occur in severe cases but is not typical.
• Cough can be present in PE, but it is not as frequent or characteristic as tachypnea.
• Hemoptysis (coughing up blood) is more associated with conditions like pulmonary infarction (a complication of PE) or other lung pathologies, and is not a frequent initial sign of PE.

Answer:

A. Tachypnea