NSG 4100 Nursing Practice: Adult Health III
Exam 1 Full Exam Original Practice Questions with
Correct Answers & Rationales| GAURANTEED PASS
WITH 170+ TEST BANK QUESTIONS 2026
CARRICULUM VERRIFIED TEST INSTANT PDF
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1. A patient with COPD has an SpO₂ of 88% on room air. What is the nurse's
priority action?
A. Apply 100% oxygen via non-rebreather mask
B. Maintain current oxygen therapy and monitor
C. Increase oxygen to 6 L/min via nasal cannula
D. Prepare for immediate intubation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: COPD patients often have a target oxygen saturation of 88-92%.
Over-oxygenation can suppress the hypoxic respiratory drive, leading to
respiratory failure. Current oxygen should be maintained with careful
monitoring .
2. The nurse is assessing a patient with a chest tube to a water-seal drainage
system. Constant bubbling is observed in the water-seal chamber. What should
the nurse conclude?
A. The system is functioning normally
B. The patient has a pneumothorax
C. The system has an air leak
D. The chest tube is obstructed
Correct Answer: C
,Rationale: Constant bubbling in the water-seal chamber indicates an air leak in
the system. This requires immediate assessment of all connections and the
insertion site. Intermittent bubbling with exhalation or coughing is normal .
3. Which study is performed prior to a thoracic resection to determine if the
planned resection will leave sufficient functioning lung tissue?
A. Exercise tolerance test
B. Pulmonary function studies
C. Arterial blood gas analysis
D. Chest X-ray
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Pulmonary function studies evaluate lung capacity and reserve,
helping determine whether the patient can tolerate the planned resection and
have adequate remaining lung function post-operatively .
4. A patient is scheduled for a thoracotomy. Which preoperative teaching
should the nurse prioritize?
A. How to milk the chest tubing
B. How to splint the incision when coughing
C. How to take prophylactic antibiotics
D. How to manage fluid restrictions
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Teaching the patient to splint the incision when coughing helps
reduce pain and promotes effective airway clearance, which is essential for
preventing post-operative complications .
5. The nurse is caring for a patient with an endotracheal tube. What cuff
pressure should be maintained to prevent tracheal injury?
,A. 10-15 mm Hg
B. 15-20 mm Hg
C. 20-25 mm Hg
D. 25-30 mm Hg
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Maintaining cuff pressure between 15-20 mm Hg prevents tracheal
ischemia and injury while ensuring adequate seal for ventilation .
6. What is a recognized disadvantage of an endotracheal tube?
A. Cognition is decreased
B. Daily ABGs are necessary
C. Slight tracheal bleeding is anticipated
D. The cough reflex is depressed
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Endotracheal tubes bypass the glottis and depress the cough reflex,
increasing the risk of aspiration and impaired airway clearance .
7. A nurse educator is reviewing indications for chest drainage systems. Which
indications should be included? (Select all that apply)
A. Post-thoracotomy
B. Spontaneous pneumothorax
C. Need for postural drainage
D. Chest trauma resulting in pneumothorax
E. Pleurisy
Correct Answer: A, B, D
Rationale: Chest drainage systems are indicated for post-thoracotomy,
spontaneous pneumothorax, and chest trauma resulting in pneumothorax.
Postural drainage is a different therapy for mobilizing secretions. Pleurisy does
not require chest tube insertion .
, 8. What should the nurse teach a patient regarding activity immediately
following discharge after a thoracotomy?
A. Walk 1 mile 3-4 times per week
B. Use weights daily to increase arm strength
C. Walk on a treadmill 30 minutes daily
D. Perform shoulder exercises 5 times daily
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Shoulder exercises 5 times daily help prevent shoulder stiffness and
maintain range of motion, which is crucial post-thoracotomy .
9. The home care nurse is visiting a patient newly discharged after a lobectomy.
What assessment is most important?
A. Resumption of the patient's ADLs
B. The family's willingness to care for the patient
C. Nutritional status and fluid balance
D. Signs and symptoms of respiratory complications
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Signs of respiratory complications such as infection, atelectasis, or
pneumothorax are the highest priority post-lobectomy. Early detection prevents
serious outcomes .
10. The nurse is providing preoperative teaching for a thoracotomy patient.
What equipment instruction is most important?
A. Correct use of a ventilator
B. Correct use of incentive spirometry
C. Correct use of a mini-nebulizer
D. Correct technique for rhythmic breathing
Correct Answer: B
Exam 1 Full Exam Original Practice Questions with
Correct Answers & Rationales| GAURANTEED PASS
WITH 170+ TEST BANK QUESTIONS 2026
CARRICULUM VERRIFIED TEST INSTANT PDF
DOWNLOAD
1. A patient with COPD has an SpO₂ of 88% on room air. What is the nurse's
priority action?
A. Apply 100% oxygen via non-rebreather mask
B. Maintain current oxygen therapy and monitor
C. Increase oxygen to 6 L/min via nasal cannula
D. Prepare for immediate intubation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: COPD patients often have a target oxygen saturation of 88-92%.
Over-oxygenation can suppress the hypoxic respiratory drive, leading to
respiratory failure. Current oxygen should be maintained with careful
monitoring .
2. The nurse is assessing a patient with a chest tube to a water-seal drainage
system. Constant bubbling is observed in the water-seal chamber. What should
the nurse conclude?
A. The system is functioning normally
B. The patient has a pneumothorax
C. The system has an air leak
D. The chest tube is obstructed
Correct Answer: C
,Rationale: Constant bubbling in the water-seal chamber indicates an air leak in
the system. This requires immediate assessment of all connections and the
insertion site. Intermittent bubbling with exhalation or coughing is normal .
3. Which study is performed prior to a thoracic resection to determine if the
planned resection will leave sufficient functioning lung tissue?
A. Exercise tolerance test
B. Pulmonary function studies
C. Arterial blood gas analysis
D. Chest X-ray
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Pulmonary function studies evaluate lung capacity and reserve,
helping determine whether the patient can tolerate the planned resection and
have adequate remaining lung function post-operatively .
4. A patient is scheduled for a thoracotomy. Which preoperative teaching
should the nurse prioritize?
A. How to milk the chest tubing
B. How to splint the incision when coughing
C. How to take prophylactic antibiotics
D. How to manage fluid restrictions
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Teaching the patient to splint the incision when coughing helps
reduce pain and promotes effective airway clearance, which is essential for
preventing post-operative complications .
5. The nurse is caring for a patient with an endotracheal tube. What cuff
pressure should be maintained to prevent tracheal injury?
,A. 10-15 mm Hg
B. 15-20 mm Hg
C. 20-25 mm Hg
D. 25-30 mm Hg
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Maintaining cuff pressure between 15-20 mm Hg prevents tracheal
ischemia and injury while ensuring adequate seal for ventilation .
6. What is a recognized disadvantage of an endotracheal tube?
A. Cognition is decreased
B. Daily ABGs are necessary
C. Slight tracheal bleeding is anticipated
D. The cough reflex is depressed
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Endotracheal tubes bypass the glottis and depress the cough reflex,
increasing the risk of aspiration and impaired airway clearance .
7. A nurse educator is reviewing indications for chest drainage systems. Which
indications should be included? (Select all that apply)
A. Post-thoracotomy
B. Spontaneous pneumothorax
C. Need for postural drainage
D. Chest trauma resulting in pneumothorax
E. Pleurisy
Correct Answer: A, B, D
Rationale: Chest drainage systems are indicated for post-thoracotomy,
spontaneous pneumothorax, and chest trauma resulting in pneumothorax.
Postural drainage is a different therapy for mobilizing secretions. Pleurisy does
not require chest tube insertion .
, 8. What should the nurse teach a patient regarding activity immediately
following discharge after a thoracotomy?
A. Walk 1 mile 3-4 times per week
B. Use weights daily to increase arm strength
C. Walk on a treadmill 30 minutes daily
D. Perform shoulder exercises 5 times daily
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Shoulder exercises 5 times daily help prevent shoulder stiffness and
maintain range of motion, which is crucial post-thoracotomy .
9. The home care nurse is visiting a patient newly discharged after a lobectomy.
What assessment is most important?
A. Resumption of the patient's ADLs
B. The family's willingness to care for the patient
C. Nutritional status and fluid balance
D. Signs and symptoms of respiratory complications
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Signs of respiratory complications such as infection, atelectasis, or
pneumothorax are the highest priority post-lobectomy. Early detection prevents
serious outcomes .
10. The nurse is providing preoperative teaching for a thoracotomy patient.
What equipment instruction is most important?
A. Correct use of a ventilator
B. Correct use of incentive spirometry
C. Correct use of a mini-nebulizer
D. Correct technique for rhythmic breathing
Correct Answer: B
