ATI Medical-Surgical Respiratory Exam
Questions with Correct Answers
(VerifiedAnswers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A
Instant Download PDF
Question 1
A nurse is assessing a client who has chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD). Which assessment finding should
the nurse expect?
A. Respiratory rate of 8/min
B. Increased anteroposterior chest diameter
C. Pink, frothy sputum
D. Inspiratory stridor
Answer: B. Increased anteroposterior chest diameter
Rationale: Clients with COPD, particularly emphysema, can
develop hyperinflation of the lungs caused by air trapping.
Chronic hyperinflation increases the anteroposterior diameter of
the chest, producing a characteristic "barrel chest." The client
may also demonstrate prolonged expiration, diminished breath
sounds, dyspnea, and use of accessory muscles. Pink, frothy
sputum is more characteristic of pulmonary edema, while
,inspiratory stridor indicates upper-airway obstruction. A
respiratory rate of 8/min would be concerning for
hypoventilation rather than a typical COPD finding.
Question 2
A nurse is caring for a client experiencing an acute asthma
exacerbation. Which finding requires the nurse's immediate
attention?
A. Expiratory wheezing
B. Respiratory rate of 24/min
C. Inability to speak in complete sentences
D. Heart rate of 104/min
Answer: C. Inability to speak in complete sentences
Rationale: Inability to speak in complete sentences indicates
severe respiratory distress and inadequate ventilation. A client
with a severe asthma exacerbation may have significant
bronchoconstriction and air trapping, resulting in hypoxemia
and impending respiratory failure. Wheezing is common during
an asthma attack, but a severely ill client can eventually develop
a "silent chest" when airflow becomes critically limited.
Tachypnea and mild tachycardia can occur with respiratory
distress, but the inability to speak normally is a more urgent
indicator of compromised ventilation.
,Question 3
A nurse is teaching a client who has COPD about pursed-lip
breathing. Which instruction should the nurse provide?
A. "Inhale through pursed lips and exhale through your nose."
B. "Take rapid breaths through your mouth."
C. "Inhale through your nose and exhale slowly through pursed
lips."
D. "Hold your breath for 10 seconds after each inhalation."
Answer: C. "Inhale through your nose and exhale slowly
through pursed lips."
Rationale: Pursed-lip breathing helps prevent premature airway
closure and improves expiration in clients with obstructive lung
disease. The client inhales slowly through the nose and then
exhales slowly through partially closed, pursed lips. The
exhalation should generally take longer than the inhalation. This
technique decreases air trapping, promotes more effective
ventilation, and can reduce the sensation of dyspnea. Rapid
breathing and prolonged breath-holding can worsen air
trapping or respiratory distress.
Question 4
, A nurse is caring for a client receiving oxygen through a nasal
cannula. Which intervention is appropriate?
A. Apply petroleum jelly to the nares for dryness.
B. Keep the oxygen equipment away from open flames.
C. Increase the oxygen flow rate whenever the client reports
dyspnea.
D. Allow the client to smoke if the oxygen is temporarily
disconnected.
Answer: B. Keep the oxygen equipment away from open
flames.
Rationale: Oxygen supports combustion and significantly
increases the risk of fire. The nurse should keep oxygen
equipment away from flames, smoking materials, sparks, and
other ignition sources. Petroleum-based products should not be
applied around oxygen equipment because they can increase
fire risk; a water-soluble lubricant may be used for nasal dryness
if appropriate. Oxygen flow should be adjusted according to the
prescribed therapy and the client's clinical condition rather than
independently increased whenever dyspnea occurs.
Question 5
Questions with Correct Answers
(VerifiedAnswers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A
Instant Download PDF
Question 1
A nurse is assessing a client who has chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD). Which assessment finding should
the nurse expect?
A. Respiratory rate of 8/min
B. Increased anteroposterior chest diameter
C. Pink, frothy sputum
D. Inspiratory stridor
Answer: B. Increased anteroposterior chest diameter
Rationale: Clients with COPD, particularly emphysema, can
develop hyperinflation of the lungs caused by air trapping.
Chronic hyperinflation increases the anteroposterior diameter of
the chest, producing a characteristic "barrel chest." The client
may also demonstrate prolonged expiration, diminished breath
sounds, dyspnea, and use of accessory muscles. Pink, frothy
sputum is more characteristic of pulmonary edema, while
,inspiratory stridor indicates upper-airway obstruction. A
respiratory rate of 8/min would be concerning for
hypoventilation rather than a typical COPD finding.
Question 2
A nurse is caring for a client experiencing an acute asthma
exacerbation. Which finding requires the nurse's immediate
attention?
A. Expiratory wheezing
B. Respiratory rate of 24/min
C. Inability to speak in complete sentences
D. Heart rate of 104/min
Answer: C. Inability to speak in complete sentences
Rationale: Inability to speak in complete sentences indicates
severe respiratory distress and inadequate ventilation. A client
with a severe asthma exacerbation may have significant
bronchoconstriction and air trapping, resulting in hypoxemia
and impending respiratory failure. Wheezing is common during
an asthma attack, but a severely ill client can eventually develop
a "silent chest" when airflow becomes critically limited.
Tachypnea and mild tachycardia can occur with respiratory
distress, but the inability to speak normally is a more urgent
indicator of compromised ventilation.
,Question 3
A nurse is teaching a client who has COPD about pursed-lip
breathing. Which instruction should the nurse provide?
A. "Inhale through pursed lips and exhale through your nose."
B. "Take rapid breaths through your mouth."
C. "Inhale through your nose and exhale slowly through pursed
lips."
D. "Hold your breath for 10 seconds after each inhalation."
Answer: C. "Inhale through your nose and exhale slowly
through pursed lips."
Rationale: Pursed-lip breathing helps prevent premature airway
closure and improves expiration in clients with obstructive lung
disease. The client inhales slowly through the nose and then
exhales slowly through partially closed, pursed lips. The
exhalation should generally take longer than the inhalation. This
technique decreases air trapping, promotes more effective
ventilation, and can reduce the sensation of dyspnea. Rapid
breathing and prolonged breath-holding can worsen air
trapping or respiratory distress.
Question 4
, A nurse is caring for a client receiving oxygen through a nasal
cannula. Which intervention is appropriate?
A. Apply petroleum jelly to the nares for dryness.
B. Keep the oxygen equipment away from open flames.
C. Increase the oxygen flow rate whenever the client reports
dyspnea.
D. Allow the client to smoke if the oxygen is temporarily
disconnected.
Answer: B. Keep the oxygen equipment away from open
flames.
Rationale: Oxygen supports combustion and significantly
increases the risk of fire. The nurse should keep oxygen
equipment away from flames, smoking materials, sparks, and
other ignition sources. Petroleum-based products should not be
applied around oxygen equipment because they can increase
fire risk; a water-soluble lubricant may be used for nasal dryness
if appropriate. Oxygen flow should be adjusted according to the
prescribed therapy and the client's clinical condition rather than
independently increased whenever dyspnea occurs.
Question 5
