Reference no: EM133962324

Question

Which condition would be the most likely cause of the patient's signs and symptoms and what is the next priority intervention? Exacerbation of asthma; give intravenous corticosteroids Respiratory distress; start on BI PAP Tuberculosis; keep in airborne precautions Bacterial pneumonia; start broad spectrum antibiotics Client Data Nurses' Notes 12/16/XX 1500 55-year-old female patient admitted to med surg from the emergency department. Patient admitted for reports of shortness of breath with activity, malaise, chills, shaking, moist cough with blood-tinged streaks in sputum for 3 days. 1515 Patient is noticeably short of breath. Breathing is labored with retractions and tri-pod position. Initial oxygen saturation is 90%. Patient is flushed, crackles noted on right lower and upper lobes and occasional inspiratory wheezes throughout. Slight edema to lower extremities. Capillary refill is sluggish. Peripheral pulses 2+ bilaterally. Mucous membranes pink. Currently placed in negative pressure room while final diagnosis is determined. Patient history is positive for smoking 1 pack a day for 30 years. Denies receiving flu or pneumonia vaccines. She has received the COVID-19 vaccine and booster. Other comorbid conditions are hypertension, asthma, gout, and GERD. Lives alone.