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__ATI Medical-Surgical Respiratory
Practice Exam 2026 | 100 Questions &
Answers with Detailed Rationales |
Complete Exam Prep & Study Guide
1. A nurse is assessing a client who has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD). Which finding should the nurse expect?
A. Barrel-shaped chest
B. Bradycardia
C. Decreased anterior-posterior chest diameter
D. Pink frothy sputum
Answer: Barrel-shaped chest
Rationale: A barrel-shaped chest results from chronic air trapping and
hyperinflation of the lungs, which is common in COPD.
2. A nurse is caring for a client experiencing an acute asthma attack. Which
medication should the nurse expect to administer for rapid relief?
A. Fluticasone
B. Montelukast
C. Albuterol
D. Salmeterol
Answer: Albuterol
,Rationale: Albuterol is a short-acting beta2-adrenergic agonist that rapidly
relaxes bronchial smooth muscle and provides quick relief during an acute
asthma exacerbation.
3. A client with COPD is receiving oxygen therapy. Which oxygen prescription
should the nurse question?
A. Oxygen at 1 L/min via nasal cannula
B. Oxygen at 2 L/min via nasal cannula
C. Oxygen at 10 L/min via nonrebreather mask
D. Oxygen adjusted to maintain the prescribed saturation range
Answer: Oxygen at 10 L/min via nonrebreather mask
Rationale: Clients with chronic CO₂ retention can be sensitive to excessive
oxygen administration. Oxygen should be carefully titrated according to the
prescribed target saturation and clinical condition.
4. A nurse is teaching a client how to use an incentive spirometer after
surgery. Which instruction is appropriate?
A. Exhale forcefully into the mouthpiece
B. Inhale slowly and deeply through the mouthpiece
C. Use the device once every 8 hr
D. Cough immediately before each inhalation
Answer: Inhale slowly and deeply through the mouthpiece
Rationale: Slow, sustained inhalation through an incentive spirometer promotes
alveolar expansion and helps prevent postoperative atelectasis.
5. A client with pneumonia has thick respiratory secretions. Which
intervention should the nurse include?
A. Restrict oral fluids
B. Encourage adequate fluid intake if not contraindicated
C. Maintain strict bed rest
D. Limit coughing
,Answer: Encourage adequate fluid intake if not contraindicated
Rationale: Adequate hydration helps thin respiratory secretions, making them
easier to expectorate.
6. A nurse is assessing a client with pneumonia. Which finding should the
nurse expect?
A. Crackles
B. Absent bowel sounds
C. Hyperactive reflexes
D. Peripheral edema only
Answer: Crackles
Rationale: Pneumonia can cause alveolar fluid and inflammatory exudate,
resulting in crackles on auscultation.
7. A client with pulmonary tuberculosis is admitted to the hospital. Which
type of precautions should the nurse initiate?
A. Contact
B. Droplet
C. Airborne
D. Protective
Answer: Airborne
Rationale: Pulmonary tuberculosis is transmitted through airborne particles. The
client should be placed in an airborne infection isolation room, and appropriate
respiratory protection should be used.
8. Which personal protective equipment should a nurse wear when entering
the room of a client with suspected active pulmonary tuberculosis?
A. Surgical mask
B. N95 respirator
, C. Face shield only
D. Sterile gloves only
Answer: N95 respirator
Rationale: An N95 respirator or equivalent respiratory protection is required for
healthcare workers caring for clients with suspected or confirmed airborne
tuberculosis.
9. A client with a pneumothorax has a chest tube connected to a drainage
system. Which finding requires immediate attention?
A. Tidaling in the water-seal chamber
B. Small amount of drainage
C. Continuous bubbling in the water-seal chamber
D. Mild discomfort at the insertion site
Answer: Continuous bubbling in the water-seal chamber
Rationale: Continuous bubbling in the water-seal chamber can indicate an air
leak in the system and requires assessment.
10.A nurse is caring for a client with a chest tube. Which action is appropriate?
A. Clamp the tube routinely
B. Keep the drainage system below the client's chest
C. Strip the tubing every hour
D. Disconnect the system during ambulation
Answer: Keep the drainage system below the client's chest
Rationale: Keeping the drainage system below chest level promotes gravity
drainage and helps prevent fluid from flowing back into the pleural space.
11.A nurse is assessing a client with a pulmonary embolism. Which finding is
most likely?
__ATI Medical-Surgical Respiratory
Practice Exam 2026 | 100 Questions &
Answers with Detailed Rationales |
Complete Exam Prep & Study Guide
1. A nurse is assessing a client who has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD). Which finding should the nurse expect?
A. Barrel-shaped chest
B. Bradycardia
C. Decreased anterior-posterior chest diameter
D. Pink frothy sputum
Answer: Barrel-shaped chest
Rationale: A barrel-shaped chest results from chronic air trapping and
hyperinflation of the lungs, which is common in COPD.
2. A nurse is caring for a client experiencing an acute asthma attack. Which
medication should the nurse expect to administer for rapid relief?
A. Fluticasone
B. Montelukast
C. Albuterol
D. Salmeterol
Answer: Albuterol
,Rationale: Albuterol is a short-acting beta2-adrenergic agonist that rapidly
relaxes bronchial smooth muscle and provides quick relief during an acute
asthma exacerbation.
3. A client with COPD is receiving oxygen therapy. Which oxygen prescription
should the nurse question?
A. Oxygen at 1 L/min via nasal cannula
B. Oxygen at 2 L/min via nasal cannula
C. Oxygen at 10 L/min via nonrebreather mask
D. Oxygen adjusted to maintain the prescribed saturation range
Answer: Oxygen at 10 L/min via nonrebreather mask
Rationale: Clients with chronic CO₂ retention can be sensitive to excessive
oxygen administration. Oxygen should be carefully titrated according to the
prescribed target saturation and clinical condition.
4. A nurse is teaching a client how to use an incentive spirometer after
surgery. Which instruction is appropriate?
A. Exhale forcefully into the mouthpiece
B. Inhale slowly and deeply through the mouthpiece
C. Use the device once every 8 hr
D. Cough immediately before each inhalation
Answer: Inhale slowly and deeply through the mouthpiece
Rationale: Slow, sustained inhalation through an incentive spirometer promotes
alveolar expansion and helps prevent postoperative atelectasis.
5. A client with pneumonia has thick respiratory secretions. Which
intervention should the nurse include?
A. Restrict oral fluids
B. Encourage adequate fluid intake if not contraindicated
C. Maintain strict bed rest
D. Limit coughing
,Answer: Encourage adequate fluid intake if not contraindicated
Rationale: Adequate hydration helps thin respiratory secretions, making them
easier to expectorate.
6. A nurse is assessing a client with pneumonia. Which finding should the
nurse expect?
A. Crackles
B. Absent bowel sounds
C. Hyperactive reflexes
D. Peripheral edema only
Answer: Crackles
Rationale: Pneumonia can cause alveolar fluid and inflammatory exudate,
resulting in crackles on auscultation.
7. A client with pulmonary tuberculosis is admitted to the hospital. Which
type of precautions should the nurse initiate?
A. Contact
B. Droplet
C. Airborne
D. Protective
Answer: Airborne
Rationale: Pulmonary tuberculosis is transmitted through airborne particles. The
client should be placed in an airborne infection isolation room, and appropriate
respiratory protection should be used.
8. Which personal protective equipment should a nurse wear when entering
the room of a client with suspected active pulmonary tuberculosis?
A. Surgical mask
B. N95 respirator
, C. Face shield only
D. Sterile gloves only
Answer: N95 respirator
Rationale: An N95 respirator or equivalent respiratory protection is required for
healthcare workers caring for clients with suspected or confirmed airborne
tuberculosis.
9. A client with a pneumothorax has a chest tube connected to a drainage
system. Which finding requires immediate attention?
A. Tidaling in the water-seal chamber
B. Small amount of drainage
C. Continuous bubbling in the water-seal chamber
D. Mild discomfort at the insertion site
Answer: Continuous bubbling in the water-seal chamber
Rationale: Continuous bubbling in the water-seal chamber can indicate an air
leak in the system and requires assessment.
10.A nurse is caring for a client with a chest tube. Which action is appropriate?
A. Clamp the tube routinely
B. Keep the drainage system below the client's chest
C. Strip the tubing every hour
D. Disconnect the system during ambulation
Answer: Keep the drainage system below the client's chest
Rationale: Keeping the drainage system below chest level promotes gravity
drainage and helps prevent fluid from flowing back into the pleural space.
11.A nurse is assessing a client with a pulmonary embolism. Which finding is
most likely?
