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MED-SURG: Respiratory System (1/2)
Questions and Answers Latest Update
What are the key functions of the respiratory system? Ans: Gas exchange
Provides oxygen and removes carbon dioxide.
What is the function of the pluera? Ans: Surrounds and cushions the lungs.
What is ventilation? Ans: Flow of air into and out of alveoli.
What is diffusion? Ans: Exchange of O2 and CO2 between alveoli and red
blood cells.
What is perfusion? Ans: Exchange of O2 and CO2 between red blood cells
and tissues.
What do ABG's assess? Ans: Acid-base balance using sample of arterial
blood.
What are the components of ABG's? Ans: pH: 7.35-7.45
PaCO2: 35-45
HCO3: 22-26
PaO2: 80-100
SaO2: 95-100%
© 2025 All rights reserved
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What do pulmonary function tests (PFTs) assess? Ans: Evaluates lung
function.
What is a bronchoscopy? Ans: Insertion of tube into airway to view airway
and collect specimens.
What is the nursing care before a bronchoscopy? Ans: Patient NPO for 4-8
hours
Give prescribed medications
What is the nursing care after a bronchoscopy? Ans: Ensure gag reflex has
returned before giving food/drink.
Sore/dry throat and blood-tinged mucous is expected.
Monitor for complications (pneumothorax).
What is a thoracentesis? Ans: Insertion of needle into posterior chest to
remove fluid or air from pleural space.
What is the nursing care before a thoracentesis? Ans: Patient sits upright
with arms supported on table/pillows.
Patient should not talk, move, or cough.
What is the nursing care after a thoracentesis? Ans: Monitor for
complications (pneumothorax, bleeding, hypotension).
Patient should take deep breaths.
What is hypoxemia? Ans: Low oxygen in arterial blood (< 80 mmHg)
What is hypoxia? Ans: Low oxygen in body tissues.
What are the early signs/symptoms of hypoxia? Ans: Restlessness
© 2025 All rights reserved
MED-SURG: Respiratory System (1/2)
Questions and Answers Latest Update
What are the key functions of the respiratory system? Ans: Gas exchange
Provides oxygen and removes carbon dioxide.
What is the function of the pluera? Ans: Surrounds and cushions the lungs.
What is ventilation? Ans: Flow of air into and out of alveoli.
What is diffusion? Ans: Exchange of O2 and CO2 between alveoli and red
blood cells.
What is perfusion? Ans: Exchange of O2 and CO2 between red blood cells
and tissues.
What do ABG's assess? Ans: Acid-base balance using sample of arterial
blood.
What are the components of ABG's? Ans: pH: 7.35-7.45
PaCO2: 35-45
HCO3: 22-26
PaO2: 80-100
SaO2: 95-100%
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 2 | Page
What do pulmonary function tests (PFTs) assess? Ans: Evaluates lung
function.
What is a bronchoscopy? Ans: Insertion of tube into airway to view airway
and collect specimens.
What is the nursing care before a bronchoscopy? Ans: Patient NPO for 4-8
hours
Give prescribed medications
What is the nursing care after a bronchoscopy? Ans: Ensure gag reflex has
returned before giving food/drink.
Sore/dry throat and blood-tinged mucous is expected.
Monitor for complications (pneumothorax).
What is a thoracentesis? Ans: Insertion of needle into posterior chest to
remove fluid or air from pleural space.
What is the nursing care before a thoracentesis? Ans: Patient sits upright
with arms supported on table/pillows.
Patient should not talk, move, or cough.
What is the nursing care after a thoracentesis? Ans: Monitor for
complications (pneumothorax, bleeding, hypotension).
Patient should take deep breaths.
What is hypoxemia? Ans: Low oxygen in arterial blood (< 80 mmHg)
What is hypoxia? Ans: Low oxygen in body tissues.
What are the early signs/symptoms of hypoxia? Ans: Restlessness
© 2025 All rights reserved
