Fundamentals of Nursing Q 568
A client with chronic pulmonary disease has a bluish tinge around the lips. The nurse charts which term to most accurately describe the client’s condition?
A. Hypoxia
B. Hypoxemia
C. Dyspnea
D. Cyanosis
Correct Answer: D. Cyanosis
A bluish tinge to mucous membranes is called cyanosis. This is most accurate because it is what the nurse observes. Cyanosis refers to a bluish cast to the skin and mucous membranes. Peripheral cyanosis is when there is a bluish discoloration to the hands or feet. It’s usually caused by low oxygen levels in the red blood cells or problems getting oxygenated blood to the body.
Option A: The nurse can only observe signs/symptoms of hypoxia. More information is needed to validate this conclusion. Hypoxia is a condition in which the body or a region of the body is deprived of adequate oxygen supply at the tissue level. Hypoxia may be classified as either generalized, affecting the whole body, or local, affecting a region of the body.
Option B: Hypoxemia requires blood oxygenation saturation data to be confirmed. Hypoxemia refers to the low level of oxygen in the blood, and the more general term hypoxia is an abnormally low oxygen content in any tissue or organ or the body as a whole. Hypoxemia can cause hypoxia (hypoxemic hypoxia), but hypoxia can also occur via other mechanisms, such as anemia.
Option C: Dyspnea is difficult to breathe. Dyspnea is the medical term for shortness of breath, sometimes described as “air hunger.” It is an uncomfortable feeling. Shortness of breath can range from mild and temporary to serious and long-lasting. It is sometimes difficult to diagnose and treat dyspnea because there can be many different causes.