Question

You are assessing an elderly man with respiratory distress. He is coughing up bloody sputum and has an oxygen saturation of 85%. You auscultate his breath sounds and hear coarse crackles in all lung fields. This patient MOST likely has:

a) Pneumothorax
b) Pulmonary embolism
c) Acute asthma exacerbation
d) Pulmonary edema

Answer 1

The elderly man is most likely experiencing pulmonary edema, which is excess fluid in the air sacs of the lungs. This condition can result from heart and/or kidney failure and compromises gas exchange in the lungs. Immediate medical attention is necessary.

Step-by-step explanation:

The elderly man with respiratory distress who is coughing up bloody sputum and has an oxygen saturation of 85% is most likely experiencing pulmonary edema.

Pulmonary edema is the excess fluid in the air sacs of the lungs, which can occur as a result of heart and/or kidney failure. This condition compromises gas exchange in the lungs and can lead to difficulty breathing and chest pain. It is a serious condition that requires immediate medical attention.

In this case, the presence of coarse crackles in all lung fields during auscultation further supports the diagnosis of pulmonary edema.