Question

a client is admitted to the hospital with pulmonary arterial hypertension. what assessment finding by the nurse is a significant finding for this client?
ascites
dyspnea
hypertension
syncope

Explanation:

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) primarily affects the pulmonary circulation, leading to increased workload on the right heart and impaired oxygenation. Dyspnea (shortness of breath) is a hallmark and significant early and persistent finding in PAH due to the reduced ability of the lungs to oxygenate blood and the resulting increased effort to breathe. Ascites is more related to right - sided heart failure in later stages or other conditions like liver disease. Hypertension (systemic) is not a direct and significant finding of PAH (PAH is about pulmonary arterial pressure, not systemic blood pressure elevation as a primary sign here). Syncope can occur in severe PAH but is less common as an initial or primary significant assessment finding compared to dyspnea.

Answer:

B. Dyspnea