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Nur 201 exam 3 Questions with Correct Verified
ANSWERwers 2026/2027
1. The nurse observes that a patient with respiratory disease
experiences a decrease in SpO2 from 93% to 88% while the
patient is ambulating. What is the priority action of the nurse?
a. Notify the health care provider.
b. Administer PRN supplemental O2.
c. Document the response to exercise.
d. Encourage the patient to pace activity. - ANSWER b
2. A patient with acute shortness of breath is admitted to the
hospital. Which action should the nurse take during the initial
assessment of the patient?
a. Ask the patient to lie down to complete a full physical
assessment.
b. Briefly ask specific questions about this episode of
respiratory distress.
c. Complete the admission database to check for allergies
before treatment.
d. Delay the physical assessment to first complete pulmonary
function tests. - ANSWER b
Nur201 exam 3
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3. The nurse prepares a patient with a left-sided pleural effusion
for a thoracentesis. How should the nurse position the patient?
a. High-Fowler's position with the left arm extended
b. Supine with the head of the bed elevated 30 degrees
c. On the right side with the left arm extended above the
head
d. Sitting upright with the arms supported on an over bed
table - ANSWER d
4. A diabetic patient's arterial blood gas (ABG) results are pH 7.28;
PaCO2 34 mm Hg; PaO2 85 mm Hg; HCO3- 18 mEq/L. The nurse
would expect which finding?
a. Intercostal retractions c. Low oxygen saturation (SpO2)
b. Kushal respirations d. Decreased venous O2 pressure -
ANSWER b
5. On auscultation of a patient's lungs, the nurse hears low-pitched,
bubbling sounds during inhalation in the lower third of both
lungs. How should the nurse document this finding?
a. Inspiratory crackles at the bases
b. Expiratory wheezes in both lungs
c. Abnormal lung sounds in the apices of both lungs
d. Pleural friction rubs in the right and left lower lobes -
ANSWER a
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6. The nurse teaches a patient about pulmonary spirometry
testing. Which statement, if made by the patient, indicates
teaching was effective?
a. "I should use my inhaler right before the test."
b. "I won't eat or drink anything 8 hours before the test."
c. "I will inhale deeply and blow out hard during the test."
d. "My blood pressure and pulse will be checked every 15
minutes." - ANSWER c
7. The nurse observes a student who is listening to a patient's
lungs. Which action by the student indicates a need to review
respiratory assessment skills?
a. The student compares breath sounds from side to side at
each level.
b. The student listens during the inspiratory phase, then
moves the stethoscope.
c. The student starts at the apices of the lungs, moving down
toward the lung bases.
d. The student instructs the patient to breathe slowly and
deeply through the mouth. - ANSWER b
8. A patient who has a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease (COPD) was hospitalized for increasing shortness of
breath and chronic hypoxemia (SaO2 levels of 89% to 90%). In
planning for discharge, which action by the nurse will be most
effective in improving compliance with discharge teaching?
Nur201 exam 3
, 4
a. Have the patient repeat the instructions immediately after
teaching.
b. Accomplish the patient teaching just before the scheduled
discharge.
c. Arrange for the patient's caregiver to be present during
the teaching.
d. Start giving the patient discharge teaching during the
admission process. - ANSWER c
9. A patient admitted to the emergency department complaining of
sudden onset shortness of breath is diagnosed with a possible
pulmonary embolus. How should the nurse prepare the patient
for diagnostic testing to confirm the diagnosis?
a. Ensure that the patient has been NPO.
b. Start an IV so contrast media may be given.
c. Inform radiology that radioactive glucose preparation is
needed.
d. Instruct the patient to expect to inspire deeply and exhale
forcefully. - ANSWER b
10. The nurse palpates the posterior chest while the patient
says "99" and notes absent fremitus. Which action should the
nurse take next?
a. Palpate the anterior chest and observe for barrel chest.
b. Encourage the patient to turn, cough, and deep breathe.
c. Review the chest x-ray report for evidence of pneumonia.
Nur201 exam 3
Nur 201 exam 3 Questions with Correct Verified
ANSWERwers 2026/2027
1. The nurse observes that a patient with respiratory disease
experiences a decrease in SpO2 from 93% to 88% while the
patient is ambulating. What is the priority action of the nurse?
a. Notify the health care provider.
b. Administer PRN supplemental O2.
c. Document the response to exercise.
d. Encourage the patient to pace activity. - ANSWER b
2. A patient with acute shortness of breath is admitted to the
hospital. Which action should the nurse take during the initial
assessment of the patient?
a. Ask the patient to lie down to complete a full physical
assessment.
b. Briefly ask specific questions about this episode of
respiratory distress.
c. Complete the admission database to check for allergies
before treatment.
d. Delay the physical assessment to first complete pulmonary
function tests. - ANSWER b
Nur201 exam 3
,2
3. The nurse prepares a patient with a left-sided pleural effusion
for a thoracentesis. How should the nurse position the patient?
a. High-Fowler's position with the left arm extended
b. Supine with the head of the bed elevated 30 degrees
c. On the right side with the left arm extended above the
head
d. Sitting upright with the arms supported on an over bed
table - ANSWER d
4. A diabetic patient's arterial blood gas (ABG) results are pH 7.28;
PaCO2 34 mm Hg; PaO2 85 mm Hg; HCO3- 18 mEq/L. The nurse
would expect which finding?
a. Intercostal retractions c. Low oxygen saturation (SpO2)
b. Kushal respirations d. Decreased venous O2 pressure -
ANSWER b
5. On auscultation of a patient's lungs, the nurse hears low-pitched,
bubbling sounds during inhalation in the lower third of both
lungs. How should the nurse document this finding?
a. Inspiratory crackles at the bases
b. Expiratory wheezes in both lungs
c. Abnormal lung sounds in the apices of both lungs
d. Pleural friction rubs in the right and left lower lobes -
ANSWER a
Nur201 exam 3
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6. The nurse teaches a patient about pulmonary spirometry
testing. Which statement, if made by the patient, indicates
teaching was effective?
a. "I should use my inhaler right before the test."
b. "I won't eat or drink anything 8 hours before the test."
c. "I will inhale deeply and blow out hard during the test."
d. "My blood pressure and pulse will be checked every 15
minutes." - ANSWER c
7. The nurse observes a student who is listening to a patient's
lungs. Which action by the student indicates a need to review
respiratory assessment skills?
a. The student compares breath sounds from side to side at
each level.
b. The student listens during the inspiratory phase, then
moves the stethoscope.
c. The student starts at the apices of the lungs, moving down
toward the lung bases.
d. The student instructs the patient to breathe slowly and
deeply through the mouth. - ANSWER b
8. A patient who has a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease (COPD) was hospitalized for increasing shortness of
breath and chronic hypoxemia (SaO2 levels of 89% to 90%). In
planning for discharge, which action by the nurse will be most
effective in improving compliance with discharge teaching?
Nur201 exam 3
, 4
a. Have the patient repeat the instructions immediately after
teaching.
b. Accomplish the patient teaching just before the scheduled
discharge.
c. Arrange for the patient's caregiver to be present during
the teaching.
d. Start giving the patient discharge teaching during the
admission process. - ANSWER c
9. A patient admitted to the emergency department complaining of
sudden onset shortness of breath is diagnosed with a possible
pulmonary embolus. How should the nurse prepare the patient
for diagnostic testing to confirm the diagnosis?
a. Ensure that the patient has been NPO.
b. Start an IV so contrast media may be given.
c. Inform radiology that radioactive glucose preparation is
needed.
d. Instruct the patient to expect to inspire deeply and exhale
forcefully. - ANSWER b
10. The nurse palpates the posterior chest while the patient
says "99" and notes absent fremitus. Which action should the
nurse take next?
a. Palpate the anterior chest and observe for barrel chest.
b. Encourage the patient to turn, cough, and deep breathe.
c. Review the chest x-ray report for evidence of pneumonia.
Nur201 exam 3
