A patient has a pulmonary capillary wedge pressure of 30mmHg. What assessment finding by the healthcare professional would be most consistent with this reading?
A)Normal lung sounds
B)Pink, frothy sputum
C)Eupnea
D)Rhonchi

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Pulmonary edema usually begins to develop at a pulmonary capillary wedge pressure or left atrial pressure of 20 mmHg. Signs of pulmonary edema include dyspnea, hypoxemia, and increased work of breathing. Physical examination may reveal inspiratory crackles (rales), dullness to percussion over the lung bases, and evidence of ventricular dilation (S₃ gallop and cardiomegaly). In severe edema, pink, frothy sputum is expectorated, hypoxemia worsens, and hypoventilation with hypercapnia may develop. Eupnea is normal work of breathing. Rhonchi are low-pitched rumbling lung sounds due to turbulent airflow due to obstruction or secretions in the large airways.

A Patient Has a Pulmonary Capillary Wedge Pressure of 30mmHg