In assessing a client with bronchitis, which symptom should the nurse expect to find?

In a client with bronchitis, one would typically expect to find phlegm production and wheezing as hallmark symptoms. Bronchitis, which is an inflammation of the bronchial tubes, often leads to increased mucus production. This mucus can cause a cough that produces phlegm, and as the airways become narrowed or obstructed due to inflammation, wheezing may occur as air passes through these constricted passages.

Other options, while they may be relevant in certain contexts, do not directly characterize the classic symptoms of bronchitis. A smoking history could be associated with bronchitis, especially in chronic cases, but is not a symptom itself. Hemoptysis, or coughing up blood, is more indicative of more severe conditions such as pneumonia or lung cancer rather than typical bronchitis. Night sweats can indicate systemic infection or other conditions but are not characteristic features of bronchitis. Therefore, the presence of phlegm production and wheezing aligns most closely with the expected findings in a patient experiencing bronchitis.