Rasmussen University NUR 2571 Exam 2 (pdf) | 2026/2027 |
Professional Nursing II Q&A | Nursing
1. Which of the following best describes the pathophysiological difference
between chronic bronchitis and emphysema?
A) Chronic bronchitis is characterized by alveolar destruction, while
emphysema involves airway inflammation and mucus hypersecretion
B) Chronic bronchitis is characterized by airway inflammation and mucus
hypersecretion, while emphysema involves alveolar destruction
C) Both conditions are characterized by reversible airway obstruction
D) Emphysema is primarily a restrictive lung disease, while chronic bronchitis
is an obstructive disease
Correct Answer: Chronic bronchitis is characterized by airway inflammation
and mucus hypersecretion, while emphysema involves alveolar destruction
Rationale: Chronic bronchitis involves inflammation and excessive mucus
production in the airways, leading to a chronic productive cough.
Emphysema involves destruction of alveolar walls, leading to loss of elastic
recoil and air trapping. Both are obstructive, not restrictive, and the damage
is largely irreversible.
2. A client diagnosed with COPD has a chronic productive cough. The nurse
associates this symptom most directly with which condition?
A) Emphysema
B) Chronic bronchitis
C) Asthma
D) Cystic fibrosis
Correct Answer: Chronic bronchitis
,Rationale: A chronic productive cough (defined as cough and sputum
production for at least 3 months in 2 consecutive years) is the hallmark of
chronic bronchitis. Emphysema is characterized by dyspnea and barrel chest
with minimal cough. Asthma involves intermittent wheezing, and cystic
fibrosis presents in childhood.
3. Which assessment finding is most characteristic of a client with
emphysema?
A) Peripheral edema and distended neck veins
B) Chronic productive cough with copious sputum
C) Barrel chest and use of accessory muscles
D) Clubbing of the fingers and toes
Correct Answer: Barrel chest and use of accessory muscles
Rationale: Emphysema is characterized by hyperinflation of the lungs,
leading to a barrel chest, and the use of accessory muscles to breathe. A
chronic productive cough is more associated with chronic bronchitis.
Peripheral edema and distended neck veins suggest cor pulmonale or right-
sided heart failure, which are complications.
4. A nurse is assessing a client with COPD. Which finding would indicate the
development of cor pulmonale?
A) Increased anteroposterior chest diameter
B) Jugular vein distention and peripheral edema
C) Decreased breath sounds in the lung bases
D) Pursed-lip breathing
Correct Answer: Jugular vein distention and peripheral edema
,Rationale: Cor pulmonale is right-sided heart failure caused by pulmonary
hypertension from chronic lung disease. Signs include jugular vein distention,
peripheral edema, and hepatomegaly. Barrel chest and pursed-lip breathing
are signs of COPD itself, not cor pulmonale.
5. A client with COPD is sitting in a chair leaning forward with arms supported
on the knees. The nurse recognizes this position as:
A) Orthopnea
B) Tripod position
C) Sims' position
D) Fowler's position
Correct Answer: Tripod position
Rationale: The tripod position—sitting upright and leaning forward with arms
supported—is used by clients with COPD to improve gas exchange. This
position uses accessory muscles and optimizes diaphragmatic movement.
Orthopnea is dyspnea when lying flat.
6. A client with COPD has an oxygen saturation of 88% on room air. Which
oxygen delivery method should the nurse anticipate?
A) High-flow oxygen via non-rebreather mask at 15 L/min
B) Low-flow oxygen via nasal cannula at 2 L/min
C) Oxygen via simple face mask at 8 L/min
D) No oxygen supplementation is needed
Correct Answer: Low-flow oxygen via nasal cannula at 2 L/min
Rationale: Clients with COPD are at risk for CO2 retention and may have a
hypoxic drive. Low-flow oxygen (1-3 L/min) is used to maintain oxygen
, saturation above 90% without suppressing the respiratory drive. High-flow
oxygen can lead to respiratory depression.
7. A client with asthma is experiencing an acute exacerbation with audible
wheezing, respiratory rate of 36, and oxygen saturation of 86%. The client is
not responding to initial bronchodilator therapy. The nurse should prepare to
administer:
A) Oral corticosteroids
B) Systemic corticosteroids
C) Inhaled corticosteroids
D) Leukotriene modifiers
Correct Answer: Systemic corticosteroids
Rationale: For an acute asthma exacerbation unresponsive to
bronchodilators, systemic corticosteroids (IV or oral) are indicated to rapidly
reduce airway inflammation. Inhaled corticosteroids are for maintenance,
and leukotriene modifiers are not used in acute settings.
8. A client has just been prescribed an albuterol inhaler for asthma. Which
statement by the client indicates understanding of the medication?
A) "I will use this inhaler daily to prevent asthma attacks."
B) "I can use this inhaler up to four times a day for shortness of breath."
C) "I should wait 10 minutes between puffs if I need a second dose."
D) "This medication works by reducing inflammation in my airways."
Correct Answer: "I can use this inhaler up to four times a day for shortness of
breath."
Professional Nursing II Q&A | Nursing
1. Which of the following best describes the pathophysiological difference
between chronic bronchitis and emphysema?
A) Chronic bronchitis is characterized by alveolar destruction, while
emphysema involves airway inflammation and mucus hypersecretion
B) Chronic bronchitis is characterized by airway inflammation and mucus
hypersecretion, while emphysema involves alveolar destruction
C) Both conditions are characterized by reversible airway obstruction
D) Emphysema is primarily a restrictive lung disease, while chronic bronchitis
is an obstructive disease
Correct Answer: Chronic bronchitis is characterized by airway inflammation
and mucus hypersecretion, while emphysema involves alveolar destruction
Rationale: Chronic bronchitis involves inflammation and excessive mucus
production in the airways, leading to a chronic productive cough.
Emphysema involves destruction of alveolar walls, leading to loss of elastic
recoil and air trapping. Both are obstructive, not restrictive, and the damage
is largely irreversible.
2. A client diagnosed with COPD has a chronic productive cough. The nurse
associates this symptom most directly with which condition?
A) Emphysema
B) Chronic bronchitis
C) Asthma
D) Cystic fibrosis
Correct Answer: Chronic bronchitis
,Rationale: A chronic productive cough (defined as cough and sputum
production for at least 3 months in 2 consecutive years) is the hallmark of
chronic bronchitis. Emphysema is characterized by dyspnea and barrel chest
with minimal cough. Asthma involves intermittent wheezing, and cystic
fibrosis presents in childhood.
3. Which assessment finding is most characteristic of a client with
emphysema?
A) Peripheral edema and distended neck veins
B) Chronic productive cough with copious sputum
C) Barrel chest and use of accessory muscles
D) Clubbing of the fingers and toes
Correct Answer: Barrel chest and use of accessory muscles
Rationale: Emphysema is characterized by hyperinflation of the lungs,
leading to a barrel chest, and the use of accessory muscles to breathe. A
chronic productive cough is more associated with chronic bronchitis.
Peripheral edema and distended neck veins suggest cor pulmonale or right-
sided heart failure, which are complications.
4. A nurse is assessing a client with COPD. Which finding would indicate the
development of cor pulmonale?
A) Increased anteroposterior chest diameter
B) Jugular vein distention and peripheral edema
C) Decreased breath sounds in the lung bases
D) Pursed-lip breathing
Correct Answer: Jugular vein distention and peripheral edema
,Rationale: Cor pulmonale is right-sided heart failure caused by pulmonary
hypertension from chronic lung disease. Signs include jugular vein distention,
peripheral edema, and hepatomegaly. Barrel chest and pursed-lip breathing
are signs of COPD itself, not cor pulmonale.
5. A client with COPD is sitting in a chair leaning forward with arms supported
on the knees. The nurse recognizes this position as:
A) Orthopnea
B) Tripod position
C) Sims' position
D) Fowler's position
Correct Answer: Tripod position
Rationale: The tripod position—sitting upright and leaning forward with arms
supported—is used by clients with COPD to improve gas exchange. This
position uses accessory muscles and optimizes diaphragmatic movement.
Orthopnea is dyspnea when lying flat.
6. A client with COPD has an oxygen saturation of 88% on room air. Which
oxygen delivery method should the nurse anticipate?
A) High-flow oxygen via non-rebreather mask at 15 L/min
B) Low-flow oxygen via nasal cannula at 2 L/min
C) Oxygen via simple face mask at 8 L/min
D) No oxygen supplementation is needed
Correct Answer: Low-flow oxygen via nasal cannula at 2 L/min
Rationale: Clients with COPD are at risk for CO2 retention and may have a
hypoxic drive. Low-flow oxygen (1-3 L/min) is used to maintain oxygen
, saturation above 90% without suppressing the respiratory drive. High-flow
oxygen can lead to respiratory depression.
7. A client with asthma is experiencing an acute exacerbation with audible
wheezing, respiratory rate of 36, and oxygen saturation of 86%. The client is
not responding to initial bronchodilator therapy. The nurse should prepare to
administer:
A) Oral corticosteroids
B) Systemic corticosteroids
C) Inhaled corticosteroids
D) Leukotriene modifiers
Correct Answer: Systemic corticosteroids
Rationale: For an acute asthma exacerbation unresponsive to
bronchodilators, systemic corticosteroids (IV or oral) are indicated to rapidly
reduce airway inflammation. Inhaled corticosteroids are for maintenance,
and leukotriene modifiers are not used in acute settings.
8. A client has just been prescribed an albuterol inhaler for asthma. Which
statement by the client indicates understanding of the medication?
A) "I will use this inhaler daily to prevent asthma attacks."
B) "I can use this inhaler up to four times a day for shortness of breath."
C) "I should wait 10 minutes between puffs if I need a second dose."
D) "This medication works by reducing inflammation in my airways."
Correct Answer: "I can use this inhaler up to four times a day for shortness of
breath."
