Pathophysiology Help

[newdaddyStudentNurse]

Hey Allnurses! Wanted to start (since this is my first post) with how I've applied the info on this site to every step of my journey to getting me to where I am now, 1st semester nursing student. All of your contributions have made the process less overwhelming. Thank you :).

Anyway, just had my first clinical day and now I have a 15 min presentation on my pts condition. I'm having difficulty explaining the pathophys. My pt came into the er with SOB. His home was burned in a recent wildfire and he claimed that he inhaled a lot of smoke and ash due to his proximity. He had pink moist mucosa, fatigued easily, low 90s O2 sats, a dry unproductive cough, diminished lung sounds, slight wheezing and his breathing was labored. CT scan came back negative and a blood culture was still pending. Any ideas? My gf is 2 days passed her due date so we're expecting any day and this thread could give me some more daddy time.