Nursing 354 Asthma Exam Questions
And Correct Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A Instant
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1. Which pathophysiologic change is most characteristic of asthma?
A. Permanent destruction of alveolar walls
B. Reversible airway obstruction and bronchial hyperresponsiveness
C. Loss of pulmonary surfactant
D. Progressive fibrosis of the pleura
Answer: Reversible airway obstruction and bronchial hyperresponsiveness
Rationale: Asthma is characterized by airway inflammation, bronchial
hyperresponsiveness, bronchoconstriction, and generally reversible airflow
obstruction.
2. Which assessment finding is most commonly associated with an acute
asthma exacerbation?
A. Bradycardia
B. Bilateral absent breath sounds without respiratory distress
C. Expiratory wheezing and prolonged expiration
D. Inspiratory stridor only
Answer: Expiratory wheezing and prolonged expiration
,Rationale: Bronchoconstriction causes narrowed airways, producing expiratory
wheezing and difficulty exhaling.
3. Which medication is considered a short-acting beta2-adrenergic agonist
(SABA)?
A. Salmeterol
B. Montelukast
C. Budesonide
D. Albuterol
Answer: Albuterol
Rationale: Albuterol is a short-acting beta2 agonist used for rapid relief of acute
bronchospasm.
4. What is the primary purpose of an inhaled corticosteroid in asthma
management?
A. Immediately reverse severe bronchospasm
B. Increase mucus production
C. Reduce airway inflammation
D. Suppress respiratory drive
Answer: Reduce airway inflammation
Rationale: Inhaled corticosteroids are controller medications that decrease
chronic airway inflammation and reduce asthma exacerbations.
5. A patient is experiencing severe asthma symptoms and has difficulty
speaking. What should the nurse assess first?
A. Dietary history
B. Sleep pattern
C. Airway and breathing status
D. Family medical history
Answer: Airway and breathing status
,Rationale: Airway and breathing are immediate priorities because severe
asthma can rapidly progress to respiratory failure.
6. Which finding indicates worsening airflow obstruction in a patient with
asthma?
A. Increased peak expiratory flow
B. Decreased respiratory effort
C. Decreasing peak expiratory flow rate
D. Improved oxygen saturation
Answer: Decreasing peak expiratory flow rate
Rationale: A decreasing peak expiratory flow rate indicates worsening
expiratory airflow and may signal an exacerbation.
7. Which instruction should the nurse provide about using an albuterol
inhaler?
A. Use it only once daily regardless of symptoms
B. Use it as prescribed for quick relief of acute symptoms
C. Take it only after using an inhaled corticosteroid
D. Stop using it when wheezing begins
Answer: Use it as prescribed for quick relief of acute symptoms
Rationale: Albuterol is a rescue medication used to relieve acute bronchospasm
according to the prescribed asthma action plan.
8. Which adverse effect is commonly associated with albuterol?
A. Severe constipation
B. Hypothermia
C. Tremor and tachycardia
D. Urinary retention
Answer: Tremor and tachycardia
Rationale: Beta2 agonists can cause stimulation-related effects such as tremor,
nervousness, palpitations, and tachycardia.
, 9. Which medication is a leukotriene receptor antagonist?
A. Ipratropium
B. Fluticasone
C. Montelukast
D. Albuterol
Answer: Montelukast
Rationale: Montelukast blocks leukotriene receptors and can help control
asthma, particularly in patients with allergic or exercise-related symptoms.
10.Which assessment finding in a patient with severe asthma requires
immediate intervention?
A. Mild expiratory wheezing
B. Occasional cough
C. Silent chest with severe respiratory distress
D. Respiratory rate of 18 breaths/minute
Answer: Silent chest with severe respiratory distress
Rationale: A silent chest may indicate extremely limited airflow and impending
respiratory failure, making it a medical emergency.
11.Which environmental factor commonly triggers asthma symptoms?
A. Adequate hydration
B. Tobacco smoke
C. Moderate room humidity
D. Regular sleep
Answer: Tobacco smoke
Rationale: Tobacco smoke is a common airway irritant that can trigger
bronchospasm and worsen asthma control.
12.Which diagnostic test is commonly used to evaluate airflow limitation in
asthma?
And Correct Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A Instant
Download Pdf
1. Which pathophysiologic change is most characteristic of asthma?
A. Permanent destruction of alveolar walls
B. Reversible airway obstruction and bronchial hyperresponsiveness
C. Loss of pulmonary surfactant
D. Progressive fibrosis of the pleura
Answer: Reversible airway obstruction and bronchial hyperresponsiveness
Rationale: Asthma is characterized by airway inflammation, bronchial
hyperresponsiveness, bronchoconstriction, and generally reversible airflow
obstruction.
2. Which assessment finding is most commonly associated with an acute
asthma exacerbation?
A. Bradycardia
B. Bilateral absent breath sounds without respiratory distress
C. Expiratory wheezing and prolonged expiration
D. Inspiratory stridor only
Answer: Expiratory wheezing and prolonged expiration
,Rationale: Bronchoconstriction causes narrowed airways, producing expiratory
wheezing and difficulty exhaling.
3. Which medication is considered a short-acting beta2-adrenergic agonist
(SABA)?
A. Salmeterol
B. Montelukast
C. Budesonide
D. Albuterol
Answer: Albuterol
Rationale: Albuterol is a short-acting beta2 agonist used for rapid relief of acute
bronchospasm.
4. What is the primary purpose of an inhaled corticosteroid in asthma
management?
A. Immediately reverse severe bronchospasm
B. Increase mucus production
C. Reduce airway inflammation
D. Suppress respiratory drive
Answer: Reduce airway inflammation
Rationale: Inhaled corticosteroids are controller medications that decrease
chronic airway inflammation and reduce asthma exacerbations.
5. A patient is experiencing severe asthma symptoms and has difficulty
speaking. What should the nurse assess first?
A. Dietary history
B. Sleep pattern
C. Airway and breathing status
D. Family medical history
Answer: Airway and breathing status
,Rationale: Airway and breathing are immediate priorities because severe
asthma can rapidly progress to respiratory failure.
6. Which finding indicates worsening airflow obstruction in a patient with
asthma?
A. Increased peak expiratory flow
B. Decreased respiratory effort
C. Decreasing peak expiratory flow rate
D. Improved oxygen saturation
Answer: Decreasing peak expiratory flow rate
Rationale: A decreasing peak expiratory flow rate indicates worsening
expiratory airflow and may signal an exacerbation.
7. Which instruction should the nurse provide about using an albuterol
inhaler?
A. Use it only once daily regardless of symptoms
B. Use it as prescribed for quick relief of acute symptoms
C. Take it only after using an inhaled corticosteroid
D. Stop using it when wheezing begins
Answer: Use it as prescribed for quick relief of acute symptoms
Rationale: Albuterol is a rescue medication used to relieve acute bronchospasm
according to the prescribed asthma action plan.
8. Which adverse effect is commonly associated with albuterol?
A. Severe constipation
B. Hypothermia
C. Tremor and tachycardia
D. Urinary retention
Answer: Tremor and tachycardia
Rationale: Beta2 agonists can cause stimulation-related effects such as tremor,
nervousness, palpitations, and tachycardia.
, 9. Which medication is a leukotriene receptor antagonist?
A. Ipratropium
B. Fluticasone
C. Montelukast
D. Albuterol
Answer: Montelukast
Rationale: Montelukast blocks leukotriene receptors and can help control
asthma, particularly in patients with allergic or exercise-related symptoms.
10.Which assessment finding in a patient with severe asthma requires
immediate intervention?
A. Mild expiratory wheezing
B. Occasional cough
C. Silent chest with severe respiratory distress
D. Respiratory rate of 18 breaths/minute
Answer: Silent chest with severe respiratory distress
Rationale: A silent chest may indicate extremely limited airflow and impending
respiratory failure, making it a medical emergency.
11.Which environmental factor commonly triggers asthma symptoms?
A. Adequate hydration
B. Tobacco smoke
C. Moderate room humidity
D. Regular sleep
Answer: Tobacco smoke
Rationale: Tobacco smoke is a common airway irritant that can trigger
bronchospasm and worsen asthma control.
12.Which diagnostic test is commonly used to evaluate airflow limitation in
asthma?
