Nursing Process Questions and Answers PDF Related

Review Nursing Process Questions and Answers PDF related questions and content

Olympic gymnast Ms. Slovenski sufferd a great fall and suffered a great fall and fractured her femur. Approximately after 20 hours in the hospital she became dyspneic, tachypneic, and with scattered crackles in her lung fields. She is coughing up large amounts of thick, white sputum. The nurse correctly interprets this as:

  • A. respiratory compromise related to inhalation of smoke
  • B. pneumonia related to prolonged bedrest
  • C. fat embolism syndrome related to femur fracture
  • D. hypovolemic shock related to multiple trauma
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: fat embolism syndrome related to femur fracture. Fat embolism syndrome occurs when fat globules enter the bloodstream and travel to the lungs, causing respiratory distress. In this case, the patient's femur fracture likely led to fat embolism, explaining her dyspnea, tachypnea, crackles, and thick sputum. Choices A, B, and D do not align with the patient's presentation and history, making them incorrect. Choice A suggests smoke inhalation, which is not supported by the scenario. Choice B mentions pneumonia from bedrest, which is not a common complication of immobility. Choice D proposes hypovolemic shock from multiple trauma, which does not explain the respiratory symptoms and sputum production observed in the patient.