A 67-year-old client develops acute shortness of breath and progressive hypoxia requiring right femur. The hypoxia was probably caused by which of the following conditions?
A. Asthma attack
B. Atelectasis
C. Bronchitis
D. Fat embolism
Correct Answer: D. Fat embolism
Long bone fractures are correlated with fat emboli, which cause shortness of breath and hypoxia.
Option A: Asthma attacks do not develop following a femoral fracture.
Option B: He could develop atelectasis but it typically doesn’t produce progressive hypoxia.
Option C: It’s unlikely the client has developed bronchitis without a previous history.