ADN Week 5 Quiz | Respiratory Nursing 2026/2027 Update
– Galen College UPDATED ACTUAL Exam Questions and
CORRECT Answers
1. A nurse is assessing a patient with a chest tube. Which finding should be
reported to the healthcare provider immediately?
A. Occasional bubbling in the water seal chamber
B. Fluctuation of the water level with respiration
C. Constant bubbling in the water seal chamber
D. Drainage of 50 mL of serosanguinous fluid in 2 hours
Answer: C
Rationale: Constant bubbling in the water seal chamber indicates an air leak in the system,
which is a priority concern. Occasional bubbling during coughing or expiration and
fluctuations (tidaling) are normal.
2. When performing a thoracentesis, what is the primary purpose of the
procedure for a patient with a large pleural effusion?
A. To administer intrapleural antibiotics
B. To obtain a biopsy of the lung tissue
C. To measure the pressure within the bronchi
D. To remove fluid and relieve respiratory distress
Answer: D
Rationale: A thoracentesis is primarily performed to remove excess fluid from the pleural
space to improve breathing and can also be used for diagnostic sampling.
,3. A patient is diagnosed with active Tuberculosis (TB). Which type of isolation
precautions must the nurse implement?
A. Airborne precautions
B. Droplet precautions
C. Contact precautions
D. Standard precautions
Answer: A
Rationale: TB is transmitted via small particles that stay suspended in the air; therefore,
airborne precautions, including a private negative-pressure room and N95 respirators, are
required.
4. Which of the following is a classic clinical manifestation of late-stage Carbon
Monoxide poisoning?
A. Cherry-red skin color
B. Cyanosis of the lips
C. Pallor and diaphoresis
D. Jaundice of the sclera
Answer: A
Rationale: Hemoglobin has a higher affinity for carbon monoxide than oxygen, forming
carboxyhemoglobin which can cause a characteristic cherry-red appearance in the skin and
mucous membranes.
5. A patient with COPD is instructed on pursed-lip breathing. What is the
physiological goal of this technique?
A. To increase the respiratory rate
B. To decrease oxygen saturation
C. To prevent airway collapse during expiration
D. To strengthen the intercostal muscles
Answer: C
, Rationale: Pursed-lip breathing creates back-pressure in the airways, which helps keep
the bronchioles open longer during exhalation, allowing for more CO2 to be expelled.
6. Which breath sound is commonly heard in patients with narrowed bronchi,
such as during an asthma attack?
A. Crackles
B. Stridor
C. Pleural friction rub
D. Wheezes
Answer: D
Rationale: Wheezes are high-pitched, musical sounds caused by air flowing through
narrowed or obstructed airways, common in asthma.
7. A nurse is caring for a patient post-bronchoscopy. Which action is the highest
priority?
A. Providing the patient with a warm meal
B. Assessing for the return of the gag reflex
C. Checking the patient’s pedal pulses
D. Instructing the patient on incentive spirometry
Answer: B
Rationale: The patient’s throat is numbed for a bronchoscopy. It is vital to ensure the gag
reflex has returned before allowing the patient to eat or drink to prevent aspiration.
8. A patient’s ABG results are: pH 7.31, PaCO2 52, HCO3 24. How does the nurse
interpret these results?
A. Respiratory Alkalosis
B. Metabolic Acidosis
C. Respiratory Acidosis
D. Metabolic Alkalosis
Answer: C
– Galen College UPDATED ACTUAL Exam Questions and
CORRECT Answers
1. A nurse is assessing a patient with a chest tube. Which finding should be
reported to the healthcare provider immediately?
A. Occasional bubbling in the water seal chamber
B. Fluctuation of the water level with respiration
C. Constant bubbling in the water seal chamber
D. Drainage of 50 mL of serosanguinous fluid in 2 hours
Answer: C
Rationale: Constant bubbling in the water seal chamber indicates an air leak in the system,
which is a priority concern. Occasional bubbling during coughing or expiration and
fluctuations (tidaling) are normal.
2. When performing a thoracentesis, what is the primary purpose of the
procedure for a patient with a large pleural effusion?
A. To administer intrapleural antibiotics
B. To obtain a biopsy of the lung tissue
C. To measure the pressure within the bronchi
D. To remove fluid and relieve respiratory distress
Answer: D
Rationale: A thoracentesis is primarily performed to remove excess fluid from the pleural
space to improve breathing and can also be used for diagnostic sampling.
,3. A patient is diagnosed with active Tuberculosis (TB). Which type of isolation
precautions must the nurse implement?
A. Airborne precautions
B. Droplet precautions
C. Contact precautions
D. Standard precautions
Answer: A
Rationale: TB is transmitted via small particles that stay suspended in the air; therefore,
airborne precautions, including a private negative-pressure room and N95 respirators, are
required.
4. Which of the following is a classic clinical manifestation of late-stage Carbon
Monoxide poisoning?
A. Cherry-red skin color
B. Cyanosis of the lips
C. Pallor and diaphoresis
D. Jaundice of the sclera
Answer: A
Rationale: Hemoglobin has a higher affinity for carbon monoxide than oxygen, forming
carboxyhemoglobin which can cause a characteristic cherry-red appearance in the skin and
mucous membranes.
5. A patient with COPD is instructed on pursed-lip breathing. What is the
physiological goal of this technique?
A. To increase the respiratory rate
B. To decrease oxygen saturation
C. To prevent airway collapse during expiration
D. To strengthen the intercostal muscles
Answer: C
, Rationale: Pursed-lip breathing creates back-pressure in the airways, which helps keep
the bronchioles open longer during exhalation, allowing for more CO2 to be expelled.
6. Which breath sound is commonly heard in patients with narrowed bronchi,
such as during an asthma attack?
A. Crackles
B. Stridor
C. Pleural friction rub
D. Wheezes
Answer: D
Rationale: Wheezes are high-pitched, musical sounds caused by air flowing through
narrowed or obstructed airways, common in asthma.
7. A nurse is caring for a patient post-bronchoscopy. Which action is the highest
priority?
A. Providing the patient with a warm meal
B. Assessing for the return of the gag reflex
C. Checking the patient’s pedal pulses
D. Instructing the patient on incentive spirometry
Answer: B
Rationale: The patient’s throat is numbed for a bronchoscopy. It is vital to ensure the gag
reflex has returned before allowing the patient to eat or drink to prevent aspiration.
8. A patient’s ABG results are: pH 7.31, PaCO2 52, HCO3 24. How does the nurse
interpret these results?
A. Respiratory Alkalosis
B. Metabolic Acidosis
C. Respiratory Acidosis
D. Metabolic Alkalosis
Answer: C
