,NUR 242 Exam 3 Test Bank | Medical-Surgical
Nursing | Galen College of Nursing | 2026/2027
Q&A Exam Prep PDF
1. A nurse is teaching a patient with asthma about peak expiratory flow (PEF) monitoring. The
patient's PEF reading is in the red zone. What is the priority nursing action?
A) Repeat the PEF reading to verify the results
B) Take the patient's vital signs
C) Call 911 immediately
D) Notify the patient's healthcare provider
Correct Answer: C) Call 911 immediately
Rationale: A PEF reading in the red zone (<50% of personal best) indicates severe airway
obstruction requiring immediate emergency attention. The patient should call 911 or be
transported to the emergency department immediately.
2. Which statement accurately describes ventilation?
A) The circulation of blood through the lungs
B) The movement of air into and out of the lungs
C) The exchange of gases in the alveoli
D) The transport of oxygen to the tissues
Correct Answer: B) The movement of air into and out of the lungs
,Rationale: Ventilation is the mechanical process of moving air into and out of the lungs.
Perfusion is the circulation of blood through the lungs; diffusion is the exchange of gases at the
alveolar-capillary level.
3. A patient with COPD has an arterial blood gas showing pH 7.30, PaCO₂ 55 mmHg, and HCO₃⁻
26 mEq/L. The nurse should interpret this as:
A) Uncompensated respiratory acidosis
B) Partially compensated respiratory acidosis
C) Uncompensated metabolic acidosis
D) Partially compensated metabolic acidosis
Correct Answer: A) Uncompensated respiratory acidosis
Rationale: The low pH (7.30) indicates acidosis. The elevated PaCO₂ (55 mmHg) indicates a
respiratory cause. The HCO₃⁻ of 26 mEq/L is normal, indicating no metabolic compensation. This
is uncompensated respiratory acidosis, common in COPD exacerbations.
4. A patient with COPD is receiving oxygen at 2 L/min via nasal cannula. Which assessment
finding indicates the therapy is effective?
A) Respiratory rate of 28 breaths per minute
B) Pulse oximetry of 92%
C) Patient reports increased dyspnea
D) Arterial PaCO₂ of 60 mmHg
Correct Answer: B) Pulse oximetry of 92%
, Rationale: A pulse oximetry of 92% indicates adequate oxygenation in a patient with COPD,
where the target SpO₂ is typically 88-92% to avoid suppressing the hypoxic drive. A respiratory
rate of 28 indicates tachypnea; increased dyspnea and elevated PaCO₂ suggest therapy is not
effective.
5. Which medication is commonly used as a rapid-relief bronchodilator during an acute asthma
exacerbation?
A) Montelukast
B) Fluticasone
C) Albuterol
D) Tiotropium
Correct Answer: C) Albuterol
Rationale: Albuterol is a short-acting beta₂ agonist (SABA) used as the primary rescue
medication for rapid bronchodilation during acute asthma exacerbations. Montelukast is a
leukotriene modifier; fluticasone is an inhaled corticosteroid; tiotropium is a long-acting
anticholinergic.
6. A patient with asthma is prescribed an inhaled corticosteroid. Which instruction should the
nurse include?
A) "Use this medication for acute asthma attacks."
B) "Rinse your mouth after each use."
C) "This medication works immediately."
D) "Take this medication only when you feel short of breath."
Correct Answer: B) "Rinse your mouth after each use."
Nursing | Galen College of Nursing | 2026/2027
Q&A Exam Prep PDF
1. A nurse is teaching a patient with asthma about peak expiratory flow (PEF) monitoring. The
patient's PEF reading is in the red zone. What is the priority nursing action?
A) Repeat the PEF reading to verify the results
B) Take the patient's vital signs
C) Call 911 immediately
D) Notify the patient's healthcare provider
Correct Answer: C) Call 911 immediately
Rationale: A PEF reading in the red zone (<50% of personal best) indicates severe airway
obstruction requiring immediate emergency attention. The patient should call 911 or be
transported to the emergency department immediately.
2. Which statement accurately describes ventilation?
A) The circulation of blood through the lungs
B) The movement of air into and out of the lungs
C) The exchange of gases in the alveoli
D) The transport of oxygen to the tissues
Correct Answer: B) The movement of air into and out of the lungs
,Rationale: Ventilation is the mechanical process of moving air into and out of the lungs.
Perfusion is the circulation of blood through the lungs; diffusion is the exchange of gases at the
alveolar-capillary level.
3. A patient with COPD has an arterial blood gas showing pH 7.30, PaCO₂ 55 mmHg, and HCO₃⁻
26 mEq/L. The nurse should interpret this as:
A) Uncompensated respiratory acidosis
B) Partially compensated respiratory acidosis
C) Uncompensated metabolic acidosis
D) Partially compensated metabolic acidosis
Correct Answer: A) Uncompensated respiratory acidosis
Rationale: The low pH (7.30) indicates acidosis. The elevated PaCO₂ (55 mmHg) indicates a
respiratory cause. The HCO₃⁻ of 26 mEq/L is normal, indicating no metabolic compensation. This
is uncompensated respiratory acidosis, common in COPD exacerbations.
4. A patient with COPD is receiving oxygen at 2 L/min via nasal cannula. Which assessment
finding indicates the therapy is effective?
A) Respiratory rate of 28 breaths per minute
B) Pulse oximetry of 92%
C) Patient reports increased dyspnea
D) Arterial PaCO₂ of 60 mmHg
Correct Answer: B) Pulse oximetry of 92%
, Rationale: A pulse oximetry of 92% indicates adequate oxygenation in a patient with COPD,
where the target SpO₂ is typically 88-92% to avoid suppressing the hypoxic drive. A respiratory
rate of 28 indicates tachypnea; increased dyspnea and elevated PaCO₂ suggest therapy is not
effective.
5. Which medication is commonly used as a rapid-relief bronchodilator during an acute asthma
exacerbation?
A) Montelukast
B) Fluticasone
C) Albuterol
D) Tiotropium
Correct Answer: C) Albuterol
Rationale: Albuterol is a short-acting beta₂ agonist (SABA) used as the primary rescue
medication for rapid bronchodilation during acute asthma exacerbations. Montelukast is a
leukotriene modifier; fluticasone is an inhaled corticosteroid; tiotropium is a long-acting
anticholinergic.
6. A patient with asthma is prescribed an inhaled corticosteroid. Which instruction should the
nurse include?
A) "Use this medication for acute asthma attacks."
B) "Rinse your mouth after each use."
C) "This medication works immediately."
D) "Take this medication only when you feel short of breath."
Correct Answer: B) "Rinse your mouth after each use."
