Which assessment finding indicates a potential problem with a client’s respiratory status?

The determination that 28 breaths per minute along with audible wheezing indicates a potential problem with the client's respiratory status is based on the assessment of both the respiratory rate and the presence of abnormal lung sounds. A normal respiratory rate for an adult typically ranges from 12 to 20 breaths per minute. An elevated rate, such as 28 breaths per minute, suggests tachypnea, which can be a response to various respiratory conditions, including asthma, bronchitis, or other obstructive airway issues.

Furthermore, wheezing is a significant auditory finding that often signifies narrowing of the airways. It occurs when air passes through constricted or inflamed bronchial tubes, commonly associated with conditions like asthma or other forms of airway obstruction. Both the elevated respiratory rate and the presence of wheezing are key indicators that the client may be experiencing respiratory distress or an exacerbation of an underlying respiratory condition, necessitating further evaluation and potential intervention.

In contrast, the other options do not present a combination of factors suggesting respiratory distress. A respiratory rate of 12 or 16 breaths per minute is within the normal range and accompanied by clear lung sounds or no labored breathing, which indicates stable respiratory status without any immediate concerns. The combination of both an elevated respiratory rate and