NURS 101L | Fundamentals of Nursing Skills Lab | Oxygen Therapy &
Respiratory Care Skills 2026 |WCU
1. A nurse is assessing a patient for early signs of hypoxia. Which of the
following clinical manifestations should the nurse identify as a primary
indicator?
A. Cyanosis of the mucous membranes
B. Restlessness and anxiety
C. Bradycardia and bradypnea
D. Clubbing of the fingers
Answer: B
Rationale: Restlessness, anxiety, and tachycardia are early signs of hypoxia. Cyanosis and
bradycardia are late signs of respiratory distress.
2. When administering oxygen via a nasal cannula, what is the maximum
recommended flow rate to prevent mucosal drying and irritation?
A. 2 L/min
B. 6 L/min
C. 4 L/min
D. 10 L/min
Answer: B
Rationale: A nasal cannula is typically used for flow rates of 1 to 6 L/min. Rates above 6
L/min are ineffective and cause significant drying of the nasal mucosa.
,3. A patient with COPD requires a precise concentration of oxygen. Which
delivery device is most appropriate for this patient?
A. Simple face mask
B. Non-rebreather mask
C. Partial rebreather mask
D. Venturi mask
Answer: D
Rationale: The Venturi mask provides the most accurate and precise oxygen concentration
(FiO2) by using different sized adaptors, making it ideal for patients with chronic lung
disease.
4. During nasotracheal suctioning, what is the maximum duration the nurse
should apply suction to avoid hypoxemia?
A. 5 seconds
B. 30 seconds
C. 25 seconds
D. 15 seconds
Answer: D
Rationale: Suctioning should be limited to 10-15 seconds per pass to prevent oxygen
depletion and vagal stimulation.
5. A nurse is preparing to suction a patient with a tracheostomy. Which action is
the priority before beginning the procedure?
A. Perform hand hygiene
B. Lubricate the suction catheter with petroleum jelly
C. Hyperoxygenate the patient with 100% oxygen
D. Position the patient in a side-lying position
Answer: C
, Rationale: Hyperoxygenation (pre-oxygenation) for 30-60 seconds is essential to provide
an oxygen reserve during the suctioning process.
6. A nurse notes that the reservoir bag on a patient’s non-rebreather mask
collapses completely during inspiration. What is the appropriate nursing action?
A. Check the mask for an air leak
B. Increase the oxygen flow rate
C. Switch the patient to a nasal cannula
D. Instruct the patient to take shallower breaths
Answer: B
Rationale: The flow rate on a non-rebreather mask must be high enough (usually 10-15
L/min) to keep the reservoir bag at least one-third to one-half full during inspiration.
7. What is the primary purpose of teaching a postoperative patient to use an
incentive spirometer?
A. To reduce the risk of pulmonary embolism
B. To measure the peak expiratory flow rate
C. To promote deep breathing and prevent atelectasis
D. To decrease the viscosity of secretions
Answer: C
Rationale: Incentive spirometry encourages voluntary deep breathing by providing visual
feedback, which helps expand alveoli and prevent lung collapse (atelectasis).
8. A nurse is performing tracheostomy care. After removing the soiled dressing,
which step should be performed next?
A. Remove and clean the inner cannula
B. Clean the stoma with sterile normal saline
C. Apply a new sterile dressing
D. Replace the tracheostomy ties
Answer: A
Respiratory Care Skills 2026 |WCU
1. A nurse is assessing a patient for early signs of hypoxia. Which of the
following clinical manifestations should the nurse identify as a primary
indicator?
A. Cyanosis of the mucous membranes
B. Restlessness and anxiety
C. Bradycardia and bradypnea
D. Clubbing of the fingers
Answer: B
Rationale: Restlessness, anxiety, and tachycardia are early signs of hypoxia. Cyanosis and
bradycardia are late signs of respiratory distress.
2. When administering oxygen via a nasal cannula, what is the maximum
recommended flow rate to prevent mucosal drying and irritation?
A. 2 L/min
B. 6 L/min
C. 4 L/min
D. 10 L/min
Answer: B
Rationale: A nasal cannula is typically used for flow rates of 1 to 6 L/min. Rates above 6
L/min are ineffective and cause significant drying of the nasal mucosa.
,3. A patient with COPD requires a precise concentration of oxygen. Which
delivery device is most appropriate for this patient?
A. Simple face mask
B. Non-rebreather mask
C. Partial rebreather mask
D. Venturi mask
Answer: D
Rationale: The Venturi mask provides the most accurate and precise oxygen concentration
(FiO2) by using different sized adaptors, making it ideal for patients with chronic lung
disease.
4. During nasotracheal suctioning, what is the maximum duration the nurse
should apply suction to avoid hypoxemia?
A. 5 seconds
B. 30 seconds
C. 25 seconds
D. 15 seconds
Answer: D
Rationale: Suctioning should be limited to 10-15 seconds per pass to prevent oxygen
depletion and vagal stimulation.
5. A nurse is preparing to suction a patient with a tracheostomy. Which action is
the priority before beginning the procedure?
A. Perform hand hygiene
B. Lubricate the suction catheter with petroleum jelly
C. Hyperoxygenate the patient with 100% oxygen
D. Position the patient in a side-lying position
Answer: C
, Rationale: Hyperoxygenation (pre-oxygenation) for 30-60 seconds is essential to provide
an oxygen reserve during the suctioning process.
6. A nurse notes that the reservoir bag on a patient’s non-rebreather mask
collapses completely during inspiration. What is the appropriate nursing action?
A. Check the mask for an air leak
B. Increase the oxygen flow rate
C. Switch the patient to a nasal cannula
D. Instruct the patient to take shallower breaths
Answer: B
Rationale: The flow rate on a non-rebreather mask must be high enough (usually 10-15
L/min) to keep the reservoir bag at least one-third to one-half full during inspiration.
7. What is the primary purpose of teaching a postoperative patient to use an
incentive spirometer?
A. To reduce the risk of pulmonary embolism
B. To measure the peak expiratory flow rate
C. To promote deep breathing and prevent atelectasis
D. To decrease the viscosity of secretions
Answer: C
Rationale: Incentive spirometry encourages voluntary deep breathing by providing visual
feedback, which helps expand alveoli and prevent lung collapse (atelectasis).
8. A nurse is performing tracheostomy care. After removing the soiled dressing,
which step should be performed next?
A. Remove and clean the inner cannula
B. Clean the stoma with sterile normal saline
C. Apply a new sterile dressing
D. Replace the tracheostomy ties
Answer: A
