HESI PN RESPIRATORY NURSING ACCURATE
COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE EXAM WITH ALL
POSSIBLE APPROVED WELL ELABORATED
PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND 100% CORRECT
VERIFIED ANSWERS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES
PLUS EXPERT ANSWER KEY (100% CORRECT
VERIFIED SOLUTIONS) 2026-2027 CURRENTLY
UPDATED VERSION Q&A GUARANTEED PASS A+
INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. A practical nurse is caring for a client with chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease. Which oxygen delivery device is most appropriate for a client
requiring precise oxygen concentrations of 24% to 28%?
A. Nasal cannula
B. Simple face mask
C. Venturi mask
D. Partial rebreather mask
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The Venturi mask delivers a precise oxygen concentration by
mixing oxygen with room air through specific sized ports. It is ideal for
clients with COPD who may retain carbon dioxide and require controlled
low-flow oxygen.
2. A client with asthma is prescribed albuterol. Which side effect should the
practical nurse expect to monitor?
, A. Bradycardia
B. Tachycardia
C. Hypoglycemia
D. Constipation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Albuterol is a beta-2 agonist bronchodilator that can stimulate
beta-1 receptors in the heart, causing tachycardia, palpitations, and
tremors.
3. The practical nurse is caring for a client after a thoracentesis. Which
assessment finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Clear lung sounds on the affected side
B. Client reports pain at the puncture site rated 2 of 10
C. Sudden onset of dyspnea and asymmetry of chest movement
D. Serosanguineous drainage on the dressing smaller than a dime
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Sudden dyspnea and asymmetrical chest movement after
thoracentesis suggest a pneumothorax, which requires immediate
medical attention.
4. A client with a tracheostomy has copious thick secretions. Which nursing
action is most effective in mobilizing secretions?
A. Limiting oral fluid intake
B. Providing humidified oxygen and encouraging hydration
C. Suctioning every hour around the clock
D. Keeping the client supine to rest the airway
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Humidification thins secretions, and hydration helps liquefy
mucus, making it easier to mobilize and expectorate. Routine suctioning is
done as needed, not on a fixed hourly schedule.
5. A practical nurse is evaluating a client’s understanding of pursed-lip
breathing. Which statement by the client indicates correct understanding?
A. “I should inhale quickly through my mouth and exhale through my nose.”
B. “I will inhale slowly through my nose and exhale slowly through pursed
lips.”
, C. “I need to take deep breaths and hold them as long as possible.”
D. “I should pant rapidly to move air out of my lungs.”
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Pursed-lip breathing involves slow inhalation through the nose
and prolonged exhalation through pursed lips, which helps keep airways
open and reduces air trapping.
6. A client is admitted with pneumonia. Which clinical manifestation is the
practical nurse most likely to assess?
A. Bradycardia
B. Fever, productive cough, and pleuritic chest pain
C. Painless nonproductive cough and clear breath sounds
D. Bradycardia and hypotension
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Pneumonia typically presents with fever, productive cough,
pleuritic chest pain, tachypnea, and adventitious breath sounds such as
crackles.
7. A client with active tuberculosis is started on rifampin. Which client
teaching is most important for the practical nurse to include?
A. “Avoid eating tyramine-rich foods.”
B. “Expect your urine and other body secretions to turn orange-red.”
C. “Take this medication on an empty stomach only.”
D. “Discontinue the drug if nausea occurs.”
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Rifampin causes orange-red discoloration of body fluids
including urine, sweat, and tears, which is harmless but should be
explained to the client to avoid anxiety.
8. The practical nurse is performing nasotracheal suctioning for a client.
Which technique is correct?
A. Apply continuous suction while inserting the catheter
B. Insert the catheter without applying suction
C. Use a clean technique for the procedure
D. Instill normal saline before each suction pass
Correct Answer: B
, Rationale: The catheter should be inserted without suction to avoid
damaging the mucosa and depleting oxygen. Suction is applied
intermittently while withdrawing and rotating the catheter.
9. A client with a pulmonary embolism is prescribed heparin. Which
laboratory value should the practical nurse monitor to evaluate the
effectiveness of therapy?
A. International normalized ratio
B. Platelet count
C. Activated partial thromboplastin time
D. Bleeding time
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Activated partial thromboplastin time monitors unfractionated
heparin therapy. The therapeutic range is usually 1.5 to 2.5 times the
control value.
10. A client with chronic bronchitis asks the practical nurse why the nurse
encourages fluids. Which response is best?
A. “Fluids will increase your blood pressure and improve oxygen transport.”
B. “Increased fluids help thin respiratory secretions so they are easier to
cough up.”
C. “Drinking more fluids prevents heart failure.”
D. “Fluids reduce the need for oxygen therapy.”
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Adequate hydration helps liquefy thick mucus, making it easier
for the client with chronic bronchitis to expectorate secretions.
11. A practical nurse is caring for a client immediately after a bronchoscopy.
Which action has priority?
A. Offer the client a glass of water to assess swallowing
B. Keep the client flat on the back for four hours
C. Check for return of the gag reflex before offering oral fluids
D. Encourage deep coughing to clear the airway
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: After bronchoscopy, the gag reflex may be suppressed from
COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE EXAM WITH ALL
POSSIBLE APPROVED WELL ELABORATED
PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND 100% CORRECT
VERIFIED ANSWERS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES
PLUS EXPERT ANSWER KEY (100% CORRECT
VERIFIED SOLUTIONS) 2026-2027 CURRENTLY
UPDATED VERSION Q&A GUARANTEED PASS A+
INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. A practical nurse is caring for a client with chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease. Which oxygen delivery device is most appropriate for a client
requiring precise oxygen concentrations of 24% to 28%?
A. Nasal cannula
B. Simple face mask
C. Venturi mask
D. Partial rebreather mask
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The Venturi mask delivers a precise oxygen concentration by
mixing oxygen with room air through specific sized ports. It is ideal for
clients with COPD who may retain carbon dioxide and require controlled
low-flow oxygen.
2. A client with asthma is prescribed albuterol. Which side effect should the
practical nurse expect to monitor?
, A. Bradycardia
B. Tachycardia
C. Hypoglycemia
D. Constipation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Albuterol is a beta-2 agonist bronchodilator that can stimulate
beta-1 receptors in the heart, causing tachycardia, palpitations, and
tremors.
3. The practical nurse is caring for a client after a thoracentesis. Which
assessment finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Clear lung sounds on the affected side
B. Client reports pain at the puncture site rated 2 of 10
C. Sudden onset of dyspnea and asymmetry of chest movement
D. Serosanguineous drainage on the dressing smaller than a dime
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Sudden dyspnea and asymmetrical chest movement after
thoracentesis suggest a pneumothorax, which requires immediate
medical attention.
4. A client with a tracheostomy has copious thick secretions. Which nursing
action is most effective in mobilizing secretions?
A. Limiting oral fluid intake
B. Providing humidified oxygen and encouraging hydration
C. Suctioning every hour around the clock
D. Keeping the client supine to rest the airway
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Humidification thins secretions, and hydration helps liquefy
mucus, making it easier to mobilize and expectorate. Routine suctioning is
done as needed, not on a fixed hourly schedule.
5. A practical nurse is evaluating a client’s understanding of pursed-lip
breathing. Which statement by the client indicates correct understanding?
A. “I should inhale quickly through my mouth and exhale through my nose.”
B. “I will inhale slowly through my nose and exhale slowly through pursed
lips.”
, C. “I need to take deep breaths and hold them as long as possible.”
D. “I should pant rapidly to move air out of my lungs.”
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Pursed-lip breathing involves slow inhalation through the nose
and prolonged exhalation through pursed lips, which helps keep airways
open and reduces air trapping.
6. A client is admitted with pneumonia. Which clinical manifestation is the
practical nurse most likely to assess?
A. Bradycardia
B. Fever, productive cough, and pleuritic chest pain
C. Painless nonproductive cough and clear breath sounds
D. Bradycardia and hypotension
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Pneumonia typically presents with fever, productive cough,
pleuritic chest pain, tachypnea, and adventitious breath sounds such as
crackles.
7. A client with active tuberculosis is started on rifampin. Which client
teaching is most important for the practical nurse to include?
A. “Avoid eating tyramine-rich foods.”
B. “Expect your urine and other body secretions to turn orange-red.”
C. “Take this medication on an empty stomach only.”
D. “Discontinue the drug if nausea occurs.”
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Rifampin causes orange-red discoloration of body fluids
including urine, sweat, and tears, which is harmless but should be
explained to the client to avoid anxiety.
8. The practical nurse is performing nasotracheal suctioning for a client.
Which technique is correct?
A. Apply continuous suction while inserting the catheter
B. Insert the catheter without applying suction
C. Use a clean technique for the procedure
D. Instill normal saline before each suction pass
Correct Answer: B
, Rationale: The catheter should be inserted without suction to avoid
damaging the mucosa and depleting oxygen. Suction is applied
intermittently while withdrawing and rotating the catheter.
9. A client with a pulmonary embolism is prescribed heparin. Which
laboratory value should the practical nurse monitor to evaluate the
effectiveness of therapy?
A. International normalized ratio
B. Platelet count
C. Activated partial thromboplastin time
D. Bleeding time
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Activated partial thromboplastin time monitors unfractionated
heparin therapy. The therapeutic range is usually 1.5 to 2.5 times the
control value.
10. A client with chronic bronchitis asks the practical nurse why the nurse
encourages fluids. Which response is best?
A. “Fluids will increase your blood pressure and improve oxygen transport.”
B. “Increased fluids help thin respiratory secretions so they are easier to
cough up.”
C. “Drinking more fluids prevents heart failure.”
D. “Fluids reduce the need for oxygen therapy.”
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Adequate hydration helps liquefy thick mucus, making it easier
for the client with chronic bronchitis to expectorate secretions.
11. A practical nurse is caring for a client immediately after a bronchoscopy.
Which action has priority?
A. Offer the client a glass of water to assess swallowing
B. Keep the client flat on the back for four hours
C. Check for return of the gag reflex before offering oral fluids
D. Encourage deep coughing to clear the airway
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: After bronchoscopy, the gag reflex may be suppressed from
