The parent of a child with cystic fibrosis (CF) calls the clinic nurse to report that the child has ...

ANS: A
Usually the signs of pneumothorax are nonspecific. Tachypnea, tachycardia, dyspnea, pallor, and cyanosis are significant signs and symptoms and are indicative of respiratory distress caused by pneumothorax. If the bronchial tubes were dilated, the child would have decreased work of breathing and would most likely be asymptomatic. Carbon dioxide retention is a result of the chronic alveolar hypoventilation in CF. Hypoxia replaces carbon dioxide as the drive for respiration progresses. Increased viscosity would result in more difficulty clearing secretions.