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NSG 3800 EXAM 2 — ADULT HEALTH II LATEST
VERSION QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026
EDITION
NSG 3800 Exam 2 — Adult Health II
250 Practice Questions with Answers and Rationales
250 MULTIPLE-CHOICE QUESTIONS WITH RATIONALES
SECTION 1: OXYGENATION & RESPIRATORY ASSESSMENT (Questions 1-40)
1. A patient with a decreased level of consciousness is in a recumbent position.
How should the nurse best assess the lung fields for this patient?
• A. Inform the physician that the patient is recumbent and anticipate an order for
a portable chest x-ray
• B. Turn the patient to enable assessment of all lung fields
• C. Avoid turning the patient and assess accessible breath sounds from the
anterior chest wall only
• D. Obtain a pulse oximetry reading; if low, reposition the patient and auscultate
breath sounds
Answer: B
Rationale: Assessment of anterior and posterior lung fields is part of the nurse's routine
evaluation. If the patient is recumbent, it is essential to turn the patient to assess all
lung fields so that dependent areas can be evaluated for breath sounds, including
normal and adventitious sounds. Failure to examine dependent areas can result in
missing significant findings .
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2. A patient asks the nurse why an infection in the upper respiratory system is
affecting the clarity of speech. Which structure serves as the patient's resonating
chamber in speech?
• A. Trachea
• B. Pharynx
• C. Paranasal sinuses
• D. Larynx
Answer: C
Rationale: A prominent function of the paranasal sinuses is to serve as a resonating
chamber in speech. The trachea serves as the passage between the larynx and bronchi.
The pharynx connects the nasal and oral cavities to the larynx. The major function of the
larynx is vocalization through the vocal cords .
3. The nurse is assessing a newly admitted patient and notes a depression in the
lower portion of the sternum. What chest deformity should the nurse document?
• A. Barrel chest
• B. Funnel chest (pectus excavatum)
• C. Pigeon chest (pectus carinatum)
• D. Kyphoscoliosis
Answer: B
Rationale: A funnel chest (pectus excavatum) occurs when there is a depression in the
lower portion of the sternum, which may lead to compression of the heart and great
vessels, resulting in murmurs. Barrel chest is characterized by increased AP diameter
from lung hyperinflation. Pigeon chest involves sternal displacement with increased AP
diameter. Kyphoscoliosis features elevation of the scapula and S-shaped spine that
limits lung expansion .
4. Which condition would lead to an increase in lung compliance?
• A. Emphysema
• B. Pulmonary fibrosis
• C. Pleural effusion
• D. Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
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Answer: A
Rationale: High or increased lung compliance occurs in emphysema due to loss of
elastic recoil from alveolar destruction. Pulmonary fibrosis, pleural effusion, and ARDS
all decrease lung compliance (make lungs stiffer) .
5. Which structure serves as the passage for both the respiratory and digestive
tracts?
• A. Trachea
• B. Pharynx
• C. Larynx
• D. Bronchi
Answer: B
Rationale: The pharynx is a tubelike structure that connects the nasal and oral cavities
to the larynx and functions as a passage for both the respiratory and digestive tracts.
The trachea serves as the passage between the larynx and bronchi. The larynx is
primarily for vocalization .
6. The nurse is performing a respiratory assessment of a patient experiencing
hypoxia. Adequate gas exchange primarily depends on which factor?
• A. An appropriate perfusion-diffusion ratio
• B. An adequate ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) ratio
• C. Adequate diffusion of gas in shunted blood
• D. Appropriate blood nitrogen concentration
Answer: B
Rationale: Adequate gas exchange depends on an adequate ventilation-perfusion (V/Q)
ratio. There is no perfusion-diffusion ratio. Gas exchange does not depend on diffusion
of gas in shunted blood or a particular nitrogen concentration .
7. The nurse is assessing a patient who is in a recumbent position. Which area of
lung assessment is most likely to be missed if the patient is not turned?
• A. Anterior lung fields
• B. Posterior and dependent lung fields
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• C. Lateral lung fields
• D. Apical lung fields
Answer: B
Rationale: In a recumbent patient, the posterior and dependent lung fields must be
assessed by turning the patient. Failure to examine dependent areas can result in
missing significant findings such as crackles, diminished breath sounds, or
consolidation .
8. A patient with a lower respiratory tract infection is being assessed. This type of
infection most often causes which problem?
• A. Impaired gas exchange
• B. Collapsed bronchial structures
• C. Necrosis of the alveoli
• D. Closed bronchial tree
Answer: A
Rationale: The lower respiratory tract consists of the lungs, which contain the bronchial
and alveolar structures needed for gas exchange. A lower respiratory tract infection
most often causes impaired gas exchange .
9. The nurse is aware that alveolar pressure can influence which process?
• A. Ventilation
• B. Perfusion
• C. Diffusion
• D. Acid-base balance
Answer: B
Rationale: Perfusion is influenced by alveolar pressure. The pulmonary capillaries are
sandwiched between adjacent alveoli and, if alveolar pressure is sufficiently high, the
capillaries are squeezed. This does not constitute a disturbance in ventilation (air
movement), diffusion (gas exchange), or acid-base balance .
10. A patient inquires about the normal function of pleural fluid. What should the
nurse describe?
NSG 3800 EXAM 2 — ADULT HEALTH II LATEST
VERSION QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026
EDITION
NSG 3800 Exam 2 — Adult Health II
250 Practice Questions with Answers and Rationales
250 MULTIPLE-CHOICE QUESTIONS WITH RATIONALES
SECTION 1: OXYGENATION & RESPIRATORY ASSESSMENT (Questions 1-40)
1. A patient with a decreased level of consciousness is in a recumbent position.
How should the nurse best assess the lung fields for this patient?
• A. Inform the physician that the patient is recumbent and anticipate an order for
a portable chest x-ray
• B. Turn the patient to enable assessment of all lung fields
• C. Avoid turning the patient and assess accessible breath sounds from the
anterior chest wall only
• D. Obtain a pulse oximetry reading; if low, reposition the patient and auscultate
breath sounds
Answer: B
Rationale: Assessment of anterior and posterior lung fields is part of the nurse's routine
evaluation. If the patient is recumbent, it is essential to turn the patient to assess all
lung fields so that dependent areas can be evaluated for breath sounds, including
normal and adventitious sounds. Failure to examine dependent areas can result in
missing significant findings .
, Page 2 of 91
2. A patient asks the nurse why an infection in the upper respiratory system is
affecting the clarity of speech. Which structure serves as the patient's resonating
chamber in speech?
• A. Trachea
• B. Pharynx
• C. Paranasal sinuses
• D. Larynx
Answer: C
Rationale: A prominent function of the paranasal sinuses is to serve as a resonating
chamber in speech. The trachea serves as the passage between the larynx and bronchi.
The pharynx connects the nasal and oral cavities to the larynx. The major function of the
larynx is vocalization through the vocal cords .
3. The nurse is assessing a newly admitted patient and notes a depression in the
lower portion of the sternum. What chest deformity should the nurse document?
• A. Barrel chest
• B. Funnel chest (pectus excavatum)
• C. Pigeon chest (pectus carinatum)
• D. Kyphoscoliosis
Answer: B
Rationale: A funnel chest (pectus excavatum) occurs when there is a depression in the
lower portion of the sternum, which may lead to compression of the heart and great
vessels, resulting in murmurs. Barrel chest is characterized by increased AP diameter
from lung hyperinflation. Pigeon chest involves sternal displacement with increased AP
diameter. Kyphoscoliosis features elevation of the scapula and S-shaped spine that
limits lung expansion .
4. Which condition would lead to an increase in lung compliance?
• A. Emphysema
• B. Pulmonary fibrosis
• C. Pleural effusion
• D. Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
, Page 3 of 91
Answer: A
Rationale: High or increased lung compliance occurs in emphysema due to loss of
elastic recoil from alveolar destruction. Pulmonary fibrosis, pleural effusion, and ARDS
all decrease lung compliance (make lungs stiffer) .
5. Which structure serves as the passage for both the respiratory and digestive
tracts?
• A. Trachea
• B. Pharynx
• C. Larynx
• D. Bronchi
Answer: B
Rationale: The pharynx is a tubelike structure that connects the nasal and oral cavities
to the larynx and functions as a passage for both the respiratory and digestive tracts.
The trachea serves as the passage between the larynx and bronchi. The larynx is
primarily for vocalization .
6. The nurse is performing a respiratory assessment of a patient experiencing
hypoxia. Adequate gas exchange primarily depends on which factor?
• A. An appropriate perfusion-diffusion ratio
• B. An adequate ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) ratio
• C. Adequate diffusion of gas in shunted blood
• D. Appropriate blood nitrogen concentration
Answer: B
Rationale: Adequate gas exchange depends on an adequate ventilation-perfusion (V/Q)
ratio. There is no perfusion-diffusion ratio. Gas exchange does not depend on diffusion
of gas in shunted blood or a particular nitrogen concentration .
7. The nurse is assessing a patient who is in a recumbent position. Which area of
lung assessment is most likely to be missed if the patient is not turned?
• A. Anterior lung fields
• B. Posterior and dependent lung fields
, Page 4 of 91
• C. Lateral lung fields
• D. Apical lung fields
Answer: B
Rationale: In a recumbent patient, the posterior and dependent lung fields must be
assessed by turning the patient. Failure to examine dependent areas can result in
missing significant findings such as crackles, diminished breath sounds, or
consolidation .
8. A patient with a lower respiratory tract infection is being assessed. This type of
infection most often causes which problem?
• A. Impaired gas exchange
• B. Collapsed bronchial structures
• C. Necrosis of the alveoli
• D. Closed bronchial tree
Answer: A
Rationale: The lower respiratory tract consists of the lungs, which contain the bronchial
and alveolar structures needed for gas exchange. A lower respiratory tract infection
most often causes impaired gas exchange .
9. The nurse is aware that alveolar pressure can influence which process?
• A. Ventilation
• B. Perfusion
• C. Diffusion
• D. Acid-base balance
Answer: B
Rationale: Perfusion is influenced by alveolar pressure. The pulmonary capillaries are
sandwiched between adjacent alveoli and, if alveolar pressure is sufficiently high, the
capillaries are squeezed. This does not constitute a disturbance in ventilation (air
movement), diffusion (gas exchange), or acid-base balance .
10. A patient inquires about the normal function of pleural fluid. What should the
nurse describe?
