Sample Questions and Answers
Which of the following is the primary function of the respiratory system?
Transport of nutrients
B. Gas exchange
C. Regulation of electrolytes
D. Blood circulation
Answer: B. Gas exchange
A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is most likely to exhibit which of the following symptoms?
Sudden chest pain
B. Productive cough and dyspnea
C. Hemoptysis
D. Bradypnea
Answer: B. Productive cough and dyspnea
Which of the following is a priority intervention for a patient experiencing an asthma attack?
Administer a corticosteroid
B. Place the patient in a supine position
C. Administer a short-acting bronchodilator
D. Initiate chest physiotherapy
Answer: C. Administer a short-acting bronchodilator
A patient with pneumonia is experiencing difficulty breathing. What is the best position to improve oxygenation?
Supine
B. Prone
C. High Fowler’s
D. Trendelenburg
Answer: C. High Fowler’s
What is the hallmark sign of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)?
Wheezing
B. Hypoxemia unresponsive to oxygen therapy
C. Hypercapnia
D. Pleural effusion
Answer: B. Hypoxemia unresponsive to oxygen therapy
A nurse is educating a patient about using a metered-dose inhaler. What is the correct technique?
Exhale completely, press the inhaler, and inhale deeply
B. Press the inhaler and exhale quickly
C. Inhale deeply and press the inhaler simultaneously
D. Hold the inhaler 2 feet away from the mouth and inhale slowly
Answer: A. Exhale completely, press the inhaler, and inhale deeply
Which of the following diagnostic tests is the gold standard for diagnosing pulmonary embolism?
Chest X-ray
B. D-dimer test
C. Ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) scan
D. CT pulmonary angiography
Answer: D. CT pulmonary angiography
Which type of lung sounds are typically heard in a patient with pulmonary edema?
Wheezing
B. Crackles
C. Rhonchi
D. Pleural friction rub
Answer: B. Crackles
A patient with tuberculosis is prescribed isoniazid. What is the most important patient teaching point?
Avoid dairy products
B. Take the medication with meals
C. Monitor for signs of liver toxicity
D. Limit fluid intake
Answer: C. Monitor for signs of liver toxicity
Which of the following is the priority nursing diagnosis for a patient with a tracheostomy?
Impaired physical mobility
B. Risk for infection
C. Ineffective airway clearance
D. Altered nutrition
Answer: C. Ineffective airway clearance
Which acid-base imbalance is commonly seen in patients with respiratory failure?
Metabolic acidosis
B. Metabolic alkalosis
C. Respiratory acidosis
D. Respiratory alkalosis
Answer: C. Respiratory acidosis
What is a common early symptom of lung cancer?
Persistent cough
B. Chest pain
C. Hemoptysis
D. Shortness of breath
Answer: A. Persistent cough
A nurse auscultates diminished breath sounds in the left lower lung field of a postoperative patient. What is the likely cause?
Atelectasis
B. Pneumothorax
C. Bronchitis
D. Pulmonary embolism
Answer: A. Atelectasis
Which of the following is an expected finding in a patient with emphysema?
Barrel-shaped chest
B. Cyanosis
C. Frequent infections
D. Clubbing of the fingers
Answer: A. Barrel-shaped chest
What should the nurse monitor for in a patient with a chest tube?
Continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber
B. Fluctuation in the water seal chamber with respirations
C. Absence of drainage for 24 hours
D. Drainage greater than 100 mL per hour
Answer: B. Fluctuation in the water seal chamber with respirations
Which condition is commonly associated with wheezing?
Pleural effusion
B. Asthma
C. Pneumonia
D. Pulmonary fibrosis
Answer: B. Asthma
What is the priority assessment for a patient receiving oxygen therapy?
Skin integrity
B. Level of consciousness
C. Respiratory rate and effort
D. Nutritional status
Answer: C. Respiratory rate and effort
A patient with cystic fibrosis is at increased risk for which complication?
Pneumothorax
B. Pulmonary hypertension
C. Respiratory infections
D. Pulmonary embolism
Answer: C. Respiratory infections
Which medication is used as a first-line treatment for pulmonary tuberculosis?
Rifampin
B. Amoxicillin
C. Ciprofloxacin
D. Prednisone
Answer: A. Rifampin
What does a SpO2 level below 90% indicate?
Hypoxia
B. Hypercapnia
C. Acidosis
D. Bradycardia
Answer: A. Hypoxia
A patient reports shortness of breath after surgery. What is the nurse’s first action?
Assess oxygen saturation
B. Administer oxygen
C. Notify the provider
D. Position the patient supine
Answer: A. Assess oxygen saturation
What is the primary cause of pneumothorax?
Fluid accumulation in the pleural space
B. Air in the pleural space
C. Infection in the lung tissue
D. Inflammation of the alveoli
Answer: B. Air in the pleural space
What dietary advice is appropriate for a patient with COPD?
Low-calorie, low-fat diet
B. High-protein, high-calorie diet
C. High-fiber diet
D. Low-sodium diet
Answer: B. High-protein, high-calorie diet
What symptom differentiates bronchitis from pneumonia?
Fever
B. Productive cough
C. Rales
D. Chest pain
Answer: C. Rales
Which intervention is most appropriate for a patient with obstructive sleep apnea?
Administer diuretics
B. Use of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)
C. Chest physiotherapy
D. Avoiding protein in the diet
Answer: B. Use of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)
Which symptom is most characteristic of pleuritis?
Sharp chest pain with breathing
B. Dry cough
C. Wheezing
D. Fever
Answer: A. Sharp chest pain with breathing
Which of the following is a common trigger for asthma?
Alcohol consumption
B. Cold air
C. High salt intake
D. Exercise
Answer: B. Cold air
In patients with COPD, why is it important to limit oxygen flow to 2-3 L/min?
To prevent oxygen toxicity
B. To avoid suppressing the hypoxic drive
C. To conserve oxygen supplies
D. To prevent hyperventilation
Answer: B. To avoid suppressing the hypoxic drive
What is the purpose of pursed-lip breathing in COPD patients?
Increase lung capacity
B. Promote deep breathing
C. Prevent airway collapse
D. Reduce bronchospasm
Answer: C. Prevent airway collapse
What is the most common cause of community-acquired pneumonia?
Staphylococcus aureus
B. Streptococcus pneumoniae
C. Pseudomonas aeruginosa
D. Klebsiella pneumoniae
Answer: B. Streptococcus pneumoniae
What is the primary goal of oxygen therapy in a patient with hypoxemia?
Prevent oxygen toxicity
B. Reduce hypercapnia
C. Maintain adequate tissue oxygenation
D. Increase hemoglobin levels
Answer: C. Maintain adequate tissue oxygenation
Which of the following is a key symptom of a pleural effusion?
Dry cough
B. Decreased breath sounds over the affected area
C. Cyanosis
D. Expiratory wheezing
Answer: B. Decreased breath sounds over the affected area
What is the most effective way to prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP)?
Administer prophylactic antibiotics
B. Perform frequent oral care
C. Keep the patient supine
D. Change ventilator tubing daily
Answer: B. Perform frequent oral care
Which diagnostic test confirms tuberculosis (TB)?
Chest X-ray
B. Sputum culture
C. Mantoux skin test
D. Complete blood count
Answer: B. Sputum culture
Which nursing intervention is most effective for promoting airway clearance in a patient with pneumonia?
Limiting fluid intake
B. Administering antipyretics
C. Encouraging coughing and deep breathing
D. Restricting physical activity
Answer: C. Encouraging coughing and deep breathing
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.