Pulmonary Edema

Pulmonary Edema ( 33 Questions)

A client with pulmonary edema complains of a feeling of "suffocation." Which physiological mechanism contributes to this sensation in pulmonary edema?


Correct Answer: C

A) Incorrect. Hyperventilation leading to respiratory alkalosis may occur in response to respiratory distress but is not the primary cause of the sensation of "suffocation."

B) Incorrect. Reduced cardiac output may be a consequence of pulmonary edema, but it does not typically result in bradycardia, nor is it the primary cause of the sensation described.

C) Correct. In pulmonary edema, fluid accumulation in the alveoli impairs oxygen diffusion, leading to hypoxemia, which contributes to the sensation of "suffocation."

D) Incorrect. Elevated blood pressure and hypertension can be associated with heart failure but are not the primary factors contributing to the sensation of "suffocation" in pulmonary edema.




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