Which of the following could the nurse expect to observe in an older adult client who has a pneumothorax?

A. Lower energy expenditure: Pneumothorax typically causes respiratory distress, which increases the work of breathing rather than lowering energy expenditure. Clients often experience fatigue from the effort required to breathe. B. Increased lung capacity: A pneumothorax reduces lung expansion because air accumulates in the pleural space, leading to decreased lung capacity. Increased lung capacity would not be expected in this condition. C. Higher oxygen saturations of 98% to 99%: Oxygen saturation usually decreases in a pneumothorax due to impaired gas exchange and lung collapse. Normal or high saturations are not typical findings during an acute event. D. Lower oxygen saturations of 93% to 94%: Hypoxemia is common in pneumothorax, especially in older adults, due to impaired ventilation and reduced oxygen exchange. Oxygen saturations in the low 90s indicate decreased oxygenation and are consistent with this condition.