Question

a nurse is assessing a client who has an acute respiratory infection, increasing the risk for hypoxemia. which of the following findings are early indications that should alert the nurse that the client is developing hypoxia? select all that apply. a restlessness b tachypnea c bradycardia d confusion e hypertension

Explanation:

• Restlessness: The brain is sensitive to oxygen levels. When there is early hypoxia (low oxygen in tissues), the body's stress response can cause restlessness as it tries to compensate.
• Tachypnea: The body attempts to increase oxygen intake. Faster breathing (tachypnea) is an early compensatory mechanism to get more oxygen into the lungs and then into the bloodstream.
• Bradycardia: Bradycardia (slow heart rate) is a late sign of hypoxia. Initially, the heart rate tends to increase (tachycardia) as a compensatory mechanism.
• Confusion: Similar to restlessness, the brain is affected by reduced oxygen. Early confusion can occur as the brain's normal function is disrupted due to insufficient oxygen supply.
• Hypertension: In the early stages of hypoxia, the body may increase blood pressure (hypertension) as part of the sympathetic nervous - system mediated compensatory response to try to maintain adequate tissue perfusion (including oxygen delivery to tissues).

Answer:

A. Restlessness, B. Tachypnea, D. Confusion, E. Hypertension