MECHANICAL VENTILATION NCLEX EXAM
2 FINAL PAPER 2026 QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS COMPREHENSIVE STUDY GUIDE
100% CORRECT
⩥ What are diffusion vs perfusion limitations seen in? Answer:
Emphysema and pulmonary fibrosis.
⩥ Which oxygen delivery device provides the most accurate FiO₂ for
COPD? Answer: Venturi mask.
⩥ What is the maximum O₂ delivery of a non-rebreather mask? Answer:
Up to 95% O₂.
⩥ What does respiratory acidosis indicate in ABG interpretation?
Answer: ↑PaCO₂, ↓pH (e.g., COPD exacerbation).
⩥ What does respiratory alkalosis indicate in ABG interpretation?
Answer: ↓PaCO₂, ↑pH (e.g., hyperventilation).
⩥ What should be done if a chest tube is disconnected? Answer: Place it
in sterile water at 2 cm.
,⩥ What is the hallmark of ARDS? Answer: Refractory hypoxemia
despite O₂ therapy.
⩥ What is the classic triad of pulmonary embolism? Answer: Dyspnea,
chest pain, tachycardia.
⩥ What differentiates emphysema from chronic bronchitis? Answer:
Emphysema has barrel chest and pursed-lip breathing.
⩥ What is the priority nursing action for suspected pulmonary
embolism? Answer: Administer oxygen.
⩥ What finding indicates improvement in ARDS? Answer: PaO₂ 90
mmHg on FiO₂ 40%.
⩥ What is the first action when a ventilator high-pressure alarm sounds?
Answer: Suction the airway.
⩥ How does the nurse prevent hypoxia during suctioning? Answer:
Hyperoxygenate before and after suctioning.
⩥ Which ABG result indicates respiratory acidosis? Answer: pH 7.30,
PaCO₂ 60 mmHg.
, ⩥ Which position improves oxygenation in ARDS? Answer: Prone.
⩥ What is the first-line medication for an acute asthma attack? Answer:
Albuterol.
⩥ Which lab finding confirms ARDS? Answer: PaO₂/FiO₂ ratio < 200.
⩥ What is a common complication of high O₂ therapy in COPD
patients? Answer: Suppressed hypoxic drive.
⩥ What intervention reduces the risk of ventilator-associated
pneumonia? Answer: Elevate HOB 30-45°.
⩥ What indicates successful chest tube function? Answer: Fluctuation
(tidaling) in water seal chamber.
⩥ What is refractory hypoxemia associated with in ARDS? Answer:
Diffuse alveolar damage and decreased compliance.
⩥ What is the management strategy for ARDS? Answer: Low tidal
volume ventilation, higher PEEP, prone positioning, and conservative
fluids.
⩥ What does waterseal tidaling indicate? Answer: The system is patent.
2 FINAL PAPER 2026 QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS COMPREHENSIVE STUDY GUIDE
100% CORRECT
⩥ What are diffusion vs perfusion limitations seen in? Answer:
Emphysema and pulmonary fibrosis.
⩥ Which oxygen delivery device provides the most accurate FiO₂ for
COPD? Answer: Venturi mask.
⩥ What is the maximum O₂ delivery of a non-rebreather mask? Answer:
Up to 95% O₂.
⩥ What does respiratory acidosis indicate in ABG interpretation?
Answer: ↑PaCO₂, ↓pH (e.g., COPD exacerbation).
⩥ What does respiratory alkalosis indicate in ABG interpretation?
Answer: ↓PaCO₂, ↑pH (e.g., hyperventilation).
⩥ What should be done if a chest tube is disconnected? Answer: Place it
in sterile water at 2 cm.
,⩥ What is the hallmark of ARDS? Answer: Refractory hypoxemia
despite O₂ therapy.
⩥ What is the classic triad of pulmonary embolism? Answer: Dyspnea,
chest pain, tachycardia.
⩥ What differentiates emphysema from chronic bronchitis? Answer:
Emphysema has barrel chest and pursed-lip breathing.
⩥ What is the priority nursing action for suspected pulmonary
embolism? Answer: Administer oxygen.
⩥ What finding indicates improvement in ARDS? Answer: PaO₂ 90
mmHg on FiO₂ 40%.
⩥ What is the first action when a ventilator high-pressure alarm sounds?
Answer: Suction the airway.
⩥ How does the nurse prevent hypoxia during suctioning? Answer:
Hyperoxygenate before and after suctioning.
⩥ Which ABG result indicates respiratory acidosis? Answer: pH 7.30,
PaCO₂ 60 mmHg.
, ⩥ Which position improves oxygenation in ARDS? Answer: Prone.
⩥ What is the first-line medication for an acute asthma attack? Answer:
Albuterol.
⩥ Which lab finding confirms ARDS? Answer: PaO₂/FiO₂ ratio < 200.
⩥ What is a common complication of high O₂ therapy in COPD
patients? Answer: Suppressed hypoxic drive.
⩥ What intervention reduces the risk of ventilator-associated
pneumonia? Answer: Elevate HOB 30-45°.
⩥ What indicates successful chest tube function? Answer: Fluctuation
(tidaling) in water seal chamber.
⩥ What is refractory hypoxemia associated with in ARDS? Answer:
Diffuse alveolar damage and decreased compliance.
⩥ What is the management strategy for ARDS? Answer: Low tidal
volume ventilation, higher PEEP, prone positioning, and conservative
fluids.
⩥ What does waterseal tidaling indicate? Answer: The system is patent.
