Which symptom would a nurse most likely observe in a patient diagnosed with emphysema?

In patients diagnosed with emphysema, a common observed symptom is barrel chest. Emphysema is a chronic lung disease that is a part of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), where the alveoli (air sacs) in the lungs are damaged, leading to difficulty in breathing.

The barrel chest is characterized by an abnormal increase in the anteroposterior diameter of the chest. This happens due to the over-inflation of the lungs, which causes the rib cage to become fixed in an expanded position, resulting in a rounded appearance. This physical change occurs as a compensation mechanism for the obstructed airflow and the inability to adequately exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide, which is a hallmark of emphysema.

Other symptoms like high blood pressure and rapid weight gain are not directly associated with emphysema. While patients may experience various health issues, these symptoms do not reflect the pathophysiological changes typical of emphysema. Decreased respiratory effort is also not characteristic, as patients with emphysema usually exhibit increased respiratory effort due to the obstructed airflow and lack of air exchange.

Thus, observing a barrel chest provides a significant clinical clue about the presence of emphysema in a patient.