You Are Working at the Triage Desk in the ED

question 31

Multiple Choice

You are working at the triage desk in the ED when a young man on crutches approaches the desk. He appears moderately short of breath. He states he had a cast put on his left leg seven days ago after surgery for a ruptured Achilles tendon. This morning, while he was watching television, he suddenly became short of breath. He has a history of asthma, for which he takes Xopenex as needed, and is taking Tylenol with codeine for pain related to his surgery. The patient's lung sounds are clear and equal, SpO₂ is 90 percent on room air, heart rate is 100 and regular, respirations are 24 and slightly labored, blood pressure is 128/88 mmHg, and the patient is afebrile. These findings are most consistent with:

• A) allergic reaction to codeine.
• B) COPD exacerbated by recent anesthesia.
• C) pneumonia secondary to recent anesthesia.
• D) pulmonary embolism associated with immobilization of the lower extremity.

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Definitions:

Racial

Relating to race or the classification of humans into groups based on physical traits, ancestry, genetics, or social relations.

Cultural

Relating to the ideas, customs, and social behavior of a society or community.

Treatment

The intervention or set of interventions designed to address a disease, condition, or disorder.

Attentive

The quality of paying close and careful attention to detail, being alert and focused on the task or situation at hand.