NUR 417 - Exam 2 Practice Questions Comprehensive
Final Review 2026 | 100% Accurate Answers
1. In a scenario where a patient with a tracheostomy tube is experiencing
respiratory distress after suctioning, what should the nurse prioritize if the
tube becomes dislodged?
Assess the patient's vital signs before acting
Notify the physician immediately
Reinsert the tracheostomy tube to secure the airway
Start CPR if the patient is unresponsive
2. A nurse is caring for an obese patient with right lower lobe pneumonia.
Which position will be best to improve gas exchange? Administration of 100%
oxygen by non-rebreather mask Endotracheal intubation and positive
pressure ventilation Insertion of a mini-tracheostomy with frequent suctioning
Initiation of continuous positive pressure ventilation (CPAP)
On the left side
In the tripod position
In the high-Fowlers position
On the right side
3. The nurse notes PVCs while suctioning a patient's ET tube. Which next action
by the nurse is indicated?
Give antidysrhythmic medications per protocol
Plan to suction the patient more frequently
Decrease the suction pressure to 80 mm Hg
Stop & ventilate the patient with 100% O2
,4. A patient with a tracheostomy is to use a fenestrated tracheostomy tube to
provide for speech. Which of the following interventions will be included in
the plan of care?
Leaving the inner cannula in place to facilitate suctioning
Keeping the cuff inflated to prevent aspiration of secretions
Placing the decannulation cap in the tube before cuff deflation
Assessing the patient's ability to swallow without choking
5. Why is it important for a nurse to increase the oxygen flow rate when a
patient shows a drop in oxygen saturation?
Increasing the oxygen flow rate can lead to oxygen toxicity.
Increasing the oxygen flow rate is only necessary if the patient is in
respiratory distress.
Increasing the oxygen flow rate is a standard procedure regardless of
the patient's condition.
Increasing the oxygen flow rate helps to improve the patient's
oxygen saturation and prevent hypoxia.
6. What is the primary purpose of adding water to a patient's enteral feedings in
the context of mechanical ventilation?
To enhance medication absorption
To thin secretions
To increase caloric intake
To prevent aspiration
,7. What is the primary purpose of prone positioning in patients with acute
respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)?
To facilitate suctioning
To improve oxygenation
To prevent skin breakdown
To reduce anxiety
8. What device is used to confirm the placement of an endotracheal tube by
detecting carbon dioxide?
Stethoscope
Pulse oximeter
End-tidal CO2 monitor
Portable chest X-ray
9. During the weaning process, if a patient with COPD exhibits a respiratory rate
of 32 breaths/min and shows signs of respiratory distress, what should the
nurse's immediate action be?
Stop the weaning protocol and reassess the patient's condition.
Continue with the weaning protocol as planned.
Increase the ventilator support settings.
Administer a bronchodilator and continue weaning.
10. Which finding by thenurse should result in postponing thespontaneous
breathing trial for a patient receiving positive pressure ventilation?
Enteral nutrition is being given through an orogastric tube.
Scattered rhonchi are heard when auscultating breath sounds
, Hydromorphone (Dilaudid) is being used to treat postoperative pain.
New dysrhythmias are observed on thecardiac monitor.
11. Why is it important for the nurse to discuss the administration of Vancomycin
with the healthcare provider in a patient with ARDS and acute kidney injury?
Vancomycin is a first-line treatment for acute kidney injury.
Vancomycin can have nephrotoxic effects, which may worsen
kidney injury.
Vancomycin is ineffective in treating ARDS.
Vancomycin does not interact with other medications.
12. Describe the immediate nursing intervention required when a tracheostomy
tube becomes dislodged during suctioning.
The nurse should call for help before taking any action.
The nurse should reinsert the tracheostomy tube to maintain the
airway.
The nurse should perform chest compressions to stabilize the patient.
The nurse should administer oxygen to the patient immediately.
13. Why is measuring O2 saturation using pulse oximetry considered an
appropriate task for assistive personnel (AP) in the context of nursing care
for patients receiving supplemental oxygen?
It is a straightforward task that does not require advanced nursing
judgment.
It requires the ability to interpret complex respiratory data.
It involves assessing the patient's understanding of oxygen therapy.
Final Review 2026 | 100% Accurate Answers
1. In a scenario where a patient with a tracheostomy tube is experiencing
respiratory distress after suctioning, what should the nurse prioritize if the
tube becomes dislodged?
Assess the patient's vital signs before acting
Notify the physician immediately
Reinsert the tracheostomy tube to secure the airway
Start CPR if the patient is unresponsive
2. A nurse is caring for an obese patient with right lower lobe pneumonia.
Which position will be best to improve gas exchange? Administration of 100%
oxygen by non-rebreather mask Endotracheal intubation and positive
pressure ventilation Insertion of a mini-tracheostomy with frequent suctioning
Initiation of continuous positive pressure ventilation (CPAP)
On the left side
In the tripod position
In the high-Fowlers position
On the right side
3. The nurse notes PVCs while suctioning a patient's ET tube. Which next action
by the nurse is indicated?
Give antidysrhythmic medications per protocol
Plan to suction the patient more frequently
Decrease the suction pressure to 80 mm Hg
Stop & ventilate the patient with 100% O2
,4. A patient with a tracheostomy is to use a fenestrated tracheostomy tube to
provide for speech. Which of the following interventions will be included in
the plan of care?
Leaving the inner cannula in place to facilitate suctioning
Keeping the cuff inflated to prevent aspiration of secretions
Placing the decannulation cap in the tube before cuff deflation
Assessing the patient's ability to swallow without choking
5. Why is it important for a nurse to increase the oxygen flow rate when a
patient shows a drop in oxygen saturation?
Increasing the oxygen flow rate can lead to oxygen toxicity.
Increasing the oxygen flow rate is only necessary if the patient is in
respiratory distress.
Increasing the oxygen flow rate is a standard procedure regardless of
the patient's condition.
Increasing the oxygen flow rate helps to improve the patient's
oxygen saturation and prevent hypoxia.
6. What is the primary purpose of adding water to a patient's enteral feedings in
the context of mechanical ventilation?
To enhance medication absorption
To thin secretions
To increase caloric intake
To prevent aspiration
,7. What is the primary purpose of prone positioning in patients with acute
respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)?
To facilitate suctioning
To improve oxygenation
To prevent skin breakdown
To reduce anxiety
8. What device is used to confirm the placement of an endotracheal tube by
detecting carbon dioxide?
Stethoscope
Pulse oximeter
End-tidal CO2 monitor
Portable chest X-ray
9. During the weaning process, if a patient with COPD exhibits a respiratory rate
of 32 breaths/min and shows signs of respiratory distress, what should the
nurse's immediate action be?
Stop the weaning protocol and reassess the patient's condition.
Continue with the weaning protocol as planned.
Increase the ventilator support settings.
Administer a bronchodilator and continue weaning.
10. Which finding by thenurse should result in postponing thespontaneous
breathing trial for a patient receiving positive pressure ventilation?
Enteral nutrition is being given through an orogastric tube.
Scattered rhonchi are heard when auscultating breath sounds
, Hydromorphone (Dilaudid) is being used to treat postoperative pain.
New dysrhythmias are observed on thecardiac monitor.
11. Why is it important for the nurse to discuss the administration of Vancomycin
with the healthcare provider in a patient with ARDS and acute kidney injury?
Vancomycin is a first-line treatment for acute kidney injury.
Vancomycin can have nephrotoxic effects, which may worsen
kidney injury.
Vancomycin is ineffective in treating ARDS.
Vancomycin does not interact with other medications.
12. Describe the immediate nursing intervention required when a tracheostomy
tube becomes dislodged during suctioning.
The nurse should call for help before taking any action.
The nurse should reinsert the tracheostomy tube to maintain the
airway.
The nurse should perform chest compressions to stabilize the patient.
The nurse should administer oxygen to the patient immediately.
13. Why is measuring O2 saturation using pulse oximetry considered an
appropriate task for assistive personnel (AP) in the context of nursing care
for patients receiving supplemental oxygen?
It is a straightforward task that does not require advanced nursing
judgment.
It requires the ability to interpret complex respiratory data.
It involves assessing the patient's understanding of oxygen therapy.
