The nurse is caring for a patient with impaired diffusion of oxygen secondary to pneumonia.Assessment findings related to this impairment are similar to those the nurse would see in patients with which other disease states?
A)Spinal cord injuries
B)Flail chest
C)Atelectasis
D)Carbon monoxide poisoning

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Atelectasis, or collapse of lung tissue, can also impair diffusion of oxygen and result in similar assessment findings to pneumonia. Spinal cord injuries and flail chest may result in impaired ventilation rather than diffusion, while carbon monoxide poisoning affects the ability of hemoglobin to bind with oxygen.

The Nurse Is Caring for a Patient with Impaired Diffusion