NURS 255
MIDTERM EXAM
ACTUAL Questions with Verified Answers
(Health Assessment for Nursing Practice.)
Drexel University
This Document Description:
This document contains a collection of
Verified questions and accurate Answers
from MIDTERM EXAM at Drexel University. It
covers core topics assessed in the course and
reflects the actual exam format and question
style. Ideal for exam preparation and concept reinforcement.
,1. The __________ space is the potential space between visceral and parietal
pleura.
Correct Answer:
pleural
Expert Rationale:
The pleural space lies between the visceral pleura covering the lung and the parietal
pleura lining the chest wall. In health assessment, understanding this space is important
because air, fluid, or blood in the pleural space can impair lung expansion.
2. TRUE OR FALSE: The anteroposterior (AP) diameter may decrease with aging,
compared with the lateral chest diameter.
Correct Answer:
FALSE
Expert Rationale:
With aging, the AP diameter may increase due to skeletal changes and loss of thoracic
flexibility. A barrel-shaped chest may also be seen with chronic lung disease such as
COPD.
3. TRUE OR FALSE: The left lung is divided into upper, middle, and lower lobes.
Correct Answer:
FALSE
Expert Rationale:
The left lung has two lobes: upper and lower. The right lung has three lobes: upper,
middle, and lower.
4. __________ are musical respiratory sounds that may be audible to the patient
and others.
Correct Answer:
Wheezes
Expert Rationale:
Wheezes are continuous, high-pitched musical sounds caused by air moving through
narrowed airways. They are commonly associated with asthma, COPD, or
bronchospasm.
,5. Which normal breath sounds are heard over the largest portions of the lungs
and are soft-sounding like wind blowing through trees?
a. tracheal
b. wheeze
c. vesicular
d. rales
Correct Answer:
c. vesicular
Expert Rationale:
Vesicular breath sounds are soft, low-pitched sounds heard over most peripheral lung
fields. They are expected normal findings during lung auscultation.
6. The nurse is inspecting a client's anterior chest. Which of the following
findings should the nurse expect?
a. the ribs are sloping downward at an angle
b. rales notes along the lower aspects of the lungs
c. rib deformities felt at the thoracic level
d. the spine is without deformities
Correct Answer:
a. the ribs are sloping downward at an angle
Expert Rationale:
Normal ribs slope downward at an angle from the spine toward the anterior chest. This
is an expected finding during inspection of the anterior thorax.
7. A nurse is preparing education material for a client to maintain a healthy
respiratory status. Which of the following should the nurse include in the
materials? (select all that apply)
a. instruct and encourage to obtain the influenza vaccine
b. counsel the client on smoking cessation
c. educate the client that hand hygiene is the first line of defense to prevent illness
d. inform the client that wearing a mask during the change of seasons prevents illness
Correct Answer:
a, b, and c
, Expert Rationale:
Influenza vaccination, smoking cessation, and hand hygiene are key preventive
strategies that support respiratory health. Mask use may be appropriate in certain
situations, but it is not the primary general prevention strategy listed here.
8. A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing respiratory distress. Which of
the following positions should the nurse assist the client into?
a. trendelenberg
b. lying flat on the back
c. tripod position
d. low fowlers position
Correct Answer:
c. tripod position
Expert Rationale:
The tripod position allows the client to lean forward and use accessory muscles more
effectively. This position can improve chest expansion and ease breathing during
respiratory distress.
9. A nurse is assessing a client and notes minimal air movement with the client's
respirations. Which should the nurse recognize as a contributing factor? (select
all that apply)
a. pneumonia
b. chest trauma
c. fever
d. prolonged bed rest
Correct Answer:
a, b, and d
Expert Rationale:
Pneumonia, chest trauma, and prolonged bed rest can reduce ventilation and air
movement. Fever may increase respiratory rate but does not directly cause minimal air
movement.
10. A nurse is caring for a client who is hyperventilating. Which of the following
can contribute to hyperventilation?
MIDTERM EXAM
ACTUAL Questions with Verified Answers
(Health Assessment for Nursing Practice.)
Drexel University
This Document Description:
This document contains a collection of
Verified questions and accurate Answers
from MIDTERM EXAM at Drexel University. It
covers core topics assessed in the course and
reflects the actual exam format and question
style. Ideal for exam preparation and concept reinforcement.
,1. The __________ space is the potential space between visceral and parietal
pleura.
Correct Answer:
pleural
Expert Rationale:
The pleural space lies between the visceral pleura covering the lung and the parietal
pleura lining the chest wall. In health assessment, understanding this space is important
because air, fluid, or blood in the pleural space can impair lung expansion.
2. TRUE OR FALSE: The anteroposterior (AP) diameter may decrease with aging,
compared with the lateral chest diameter.
Correct Answer:
FALSE
Expert Rationale:
With aging, the AP diameter may increase due to skeletal changes and loss of thoracic
flexibility. A barrel-shaped chest may also be seen with chronic lung disease such as
COPD.
3. TRUE OR FALSE: The left lung is divided into upper, middle, and lower lobes.
Correct Answer:
FALSE
Expert Rationale:
The left lung has two lobes: upper and lower. The right lung has three lobes: upper,
middle, and lower.
4. __________ are musical respiratory sounds that may be audible to the patient
and others.
Correct Answer:
Wheezes
Expert Rationale:
Wheezes are continuous, high-pitched musical sounds caused by air moving through
narrowed airways. They are commonly associated with asthma, COPD, or
bronchospasm.
,5. Which normal breath sounds are heard over the largest portions of the lungs
and are soft-sounding like wind blowing through trees?
a. tracheal
b. wheeze
c. vesicular
d. rales
Correct Answer:
c. vesicular
Expert Rationale:
Vesicular breath sounds are soft, low-pitched sounds heard over most peripheral lung
fields. They are expected normal findings during lung auscultation.
6. The nurse is inspecting a client's anterior chest. Which of the following
findings should the nurse expect?
a. the ribs are sloping downward at an angle
b. rales notes along the lower aspects of the lungs
c. rib deformities felt at the thoracic level
d. the spine is without deformities
Correct Answer:
a. the ribs are sloping downward at an angle
Expert Rationale:
Normal ribs slope downward at an angle from the spine toward the anterior chest. This
is an expected finding during inspection of the anterior thorax.
7. A nurse is preparing education material for a client to maintain a healthy
respiratory status. Which of the following should the nurse include in the
materials? (select all that apply)
a. instruct and encourage to obtain the influenza vaccine
b. counsel the client on smoking cessation
c. educate the client that hand hygiene is the first line of defense to prevent illness
d. inform the client that wearing a mask during the change of seasons prevents illness
Correct Answer:
a, b, and c
, Expert Rationale:
Influenza vaccination, smoking cessation, and hand hygiene are key preventive
strategies that support respiratory health. Mask use may be appropriate in certain
situations, but it is not the primary general prevention strategy listed here.
8. A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing respiratory distress. Which of
the following positions should the nurse assist the client into?
a. trendelenberg
b. lying flat on the back
c. tripod position
d. low fowlers position
Correct Answer:
c. tripod position
Expert Rationale:
The tripod position allows the client to lean forward and use accessory muscles more
effectively. This position can improve chest expansion and ease breathing during
respiratory distress.
9. A nurse is assessing a client and notes minimal air movement with the client's
respirations. Which should the nurse recognize as a contributing factor? (select
all that apply)
a. pneumonia
b. chest trauma
c. fever
d. prolonged bed rest
Correct Answer:
a, b, and d
Expert Rationale:
Pneumonia, chest trauma, and prolonged bed rest can reduce ventilation and air
movement. Fever may increase respiratory rate but does not directly cause minimal air
movement.
10. A nurse is caring for a client who is hyperventilating. Which of the following
can contribute to hyperventilation?
