HCR 240 FINAL EXAM 2026/2027 | STUDY GUIDE, PRACTICE
QUESTIONS, ANSWERS & EXAM REVIEW
Blood cells passing through the arteries in the lungs are oxygenated and then carry oxygen to the body -
ANS ✔✔A patient asks the nurse why they need to wear oxygen in the hospital and how it works with
blood cells. Which is the best response?
-Blood cells passing through the arteries in the lungs are oxygenated and then carry oxygen to the body
-When you take in a breath the blood cells in your nose takes in the oxygen
-The blood that pumps through the heart takes in oxygen
-The blood receives oxygen from the bone marrow and carries it to the tissues
Oxygen diffusion is impaired by the congestion - ANS ✔✔How does severe hypoxia develop with
pneumonia?
-Inflammatory exudate absorbs oxygen from the alveolar air
-Infection reduces effective compensation by the heart
-Acidosis depresses respirations
-Oxygen diffusion is impaired by the congestion
97-100% - ANS ✔✔The nurse is discussing with the student nurse a pulse oxygenation measurement.
The student nurse knows what measurement is acceptable for a pulse oxygenation reading in a healthy
adult?
-92-95%
-89-92%
-97-100%
-90-93%
Air trapping and hyperinflation - ANS ✔✔What causes the expanded anteroposterior (A-P) thoracic
diameter (barrel chest) in patients with emphysema?
-Persistent coughing to remove mucus
-Recurrent damage to lung tissues
-Dilated bronchi and increased mucus secretions
-Air trapping and hyperinflation
Chronic cough - ANS ✔✔What is an early sign of lung cancer?
-Weight loss
-Chronic cough
-Air trapping and over inflation of the lung
-Bone pain
Sudden onset fever and chills with crackles and rusty sputum - ANS ✔✔Which of the following describes
lobar pneumonia?
-Sudden onset fever and chills with crackles and rusty sputum
-Insidious onset, diffuse interstitial infection
-Opportunistic bacteria causing low-grade fever with cough and thick greenish sputum
-Viral infection causing nonproductive cough and pleuric pain
, Exchange of gases between the environment and blood - ANS ✔✔One of the functions of the pulmonary
system is the?
-Principle mechanism for cooling the heart
-Exchange of gases between the environment and blood
-Movement of blood into and out of the capillaries
-Expelling of bacteria
Dyspnea - ANS ✔✔A 10-year-old develops pneumonia. Physical exam reveals subcostal and intercostal
retractions. The child reports that breathing is difficult with feelings that "I cannot get enough air". What
term should the nurse use to document this condition?
-Cyanosis
-Hyperpnea
-Orthopnea
-Dyspnea
Cyanosis - ANS ✔✔A 65-year-old diagnosed with emphysema presents to the ER for difficulty breathing.
Physical exam reveals both bluish skin and mucous membranes. What term will the nurse use to
document these observations?
-Hemoptysis
-Hematemesis
-Ischemia
-Cyanosis
Tension pneumothorax - ANS ✔✔A 50-year-old presents with hypertension, hypoxemia, and tracheal
deviation to the left. Tests reveal that the air pressure in the pleural cavity exceeds barometric pressure
in the atmosphere. Based upon these assessment findings what does the nurse suspect the patient is
experiencing?
-Open pneumothorax
-Pleural effusion
-Tension pneumothorax
-Transudative pneumothorax
Pink, frothy sputum - ANS ✔✔What assessment findings will the nurse observe in a patient diagnosed
with severe pulmonary edema?
-Pink, frothy sputum
-Thick mucous secretions
-Hypocapnia
-Wheezing
Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) - ANS ✔✔A 42-year-old presents with dyspnea, rapid
shallow breathing, inspiratory crackles, decreased lung compliance, and hypoxemia. Tests reveal a
fulminant form of respiratory failure characterized by acute lung inflammation and diffuse
alveolocapillary injury. What is the most likely diagnosis supported by the patient's condition?
-Sarcoidosis
-Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
-Malignant respiratory failure
-Postoperative respiratory failure
QUESTIONS, ANSWERS & EXAM REVIEW
Blood cells passing through the arteries in the lungs are oxygenated and then carry oxygen to the body -
ANS ✔✔A patient asks the nurse why they need to wear oxygen in the hospital and how it works with
blood cells. Which is the best response?
-Blood cells passing through the arteries in the lungs are oxygenated and then carry oxygen to the body
-When you take in a breath the blood cells in your nose takes in the oxygen
-The blood that pumps through the heart takes in oxygen
-The blood receives oxygen from the bone marrow and carries it to the tissues
Oxygen diffusion is impaired by the congestion - ANS ✔✔How does severe hypoxia develop with
pneumonia?
-Inflammatory exudate absorbs oxygen from the alveolar air
-Infection reduces effective compensation by the heart
-Acidosis depresses respirations
-Oxygen diffusion is impaired by the congestion
97-100% - ANS ✔✔The nurse is discussing with the student nurse a pulse oxygenation measurement.
The student nurse knows what measurement is acceptable for a pulse oxygenation reading in a healthy
adult?
-92-95%
-89-92%
-97-100%
-90-93%
Air trapping and hyperinflation - ANS ✔✔What causes the expanded anteroposterior (A-P) thoracic
diameter (barrel chest) in patients with emphysema?
-Persistent coughing to remove mucus
-Recurrent damage to lung tissues
-Dilated bronchi and increased mucus secretions
-Air trapping and hyperinflation
Chronic cough - ANS ✔✔What is an early sign of lung cancer?
-Weight loss
-Chronic cough
-Air trapping and over inflation of the lung
-Bone pain
Sudden onset fever and chills with crackles and rusty sputum - ANS ✔✔Which of the following describes
lobar pneumonia?
-Sudden onset fever and chills with crackles and rusty sputum
-Insidious onset, diffuse interstitial infection
-Opportunistic bacteria causing low-grade fever with cough and thick greenish sputum
-Viral infection causing nonproductive cough and pleuric pain
, Exchange of gases between the environment and blood - ANS ✔✔One of the functions of the pulmonary
system is the?
-Principle mechanism for cooling the heart
-Exchange of gases between the environment and blood
-Movement of blood into and out of the capillaries
-Expelling of bacteria
Dyspnea - ANS ✔✔A 10-year-old develops pneumonia. Physical exam reveals subcostal and intercostal
retractions. The child reports that breathing is difficult with feelings that "I cannot get enough air". What
term should the nurse use to document this condition?
-Cyanosis
-Hyperpnea
-Orthopnea
-Dyspnea
Cyanosis - ANS ✔✔A 65-year-old diagnosed with emphysema presents to the ER for difficulty breathing.
Physical exam reveals both bluish skin and mucous membranes. What term will the nurse use to
document these observations?
-Hemoptysis
-Hematemesis
-Ischemia
-Cyanosis
Tension pneumothorax - ANS ✔✔A 50-year-old presents with hypertension, hypoxemia, and tracheal
deviation to the left. Tests reveal that the air pressure in the pleural cavity exceeds barometric pressure
in the atmosphere. Based upon these assessment findings what does the nurse suspect the patient is
experiencing?
-Open pneumothorax
-Pleural effusion
-Tension pneumothorax
-Transudative pneumothorax
Pink, frothy sputum - ANS ✔✔What assessment findings will the nurse observe in a patient diagnosed
with severe pulmonary edema?
-Pink, frothy sputum
-Thick mucous secretions
-Hypocapnia
-Wheezing
Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) - ANS ✔✔A 42-year-old presents with dyspnea, rapid
shallow breathing, inspiratory crackles, decreased lung compliance, and hypoxemia. Tests reveal a
fulminant form of respiratory failure characterized by acute lung inflammation and diffuse
alveolocapillary injury. What is the most likely diagnosis supported by the patient's condition?
-Sarcoidosis
-Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
-Malignant respiratory failure
-Postoperative respiratory failure
