Which respiratory assessment finding will most likely indicate the client is exhibiting asthma?
Explanation & Rationale
A. Wheezing is a high-pitched, musical sound produced by narrowed airways. It is a common and classic finding in asthma due to the bronchoconstriction that occurs during an asthma exacerbation. The presence of wheezing on auscultation is a strong indicator of asthma, as it reflects the turbulent airflow through constricted bronchi. B. Normal breath sounds would generally not indicate asthma. In the absence of an asthma attack or during periods of remission, a person with asthma might have normal breath sounds. However, during an asthma exacerbation, the breath sounds are more likely to be abnormal, such as wheezing or decreased breath sounds if airflow is severely compromised. C. Clear lung sounds on auscultation would typically indicate that there are no abnormal sounds such as wheezes, crackles, or rhonchi. In the context of asthma, clear lung sounds could be heard if the asthma is well-controlled or if the client is not currently experiencing an exacerbation. D. A decreased respiratory rate (bradypnea) is not a typical finding in asthma. During an asthma exacerbation, clients often experience tachypnea (increased respiratory rate) due to difficulty breathing and the increased effort required to breathe.