ARDS: Practice Questions With Correct
Detailed Answers Pass Guaranteed.
C
Rationale: Hypoxemia and hypoxemic respiratory failure are caused by disorders that interfere with the
transfer of oxygen into the blood, such as pneumonia. The other listed disorders are more likely to cause
problems with hypercapnia because of ventilatory failure.
Cognitive Level: Application Text Reference: pp. 1799-1800
Nursing Process: Assessment NCLEX: Physiological Integrity - correct answers 1. It will be most important
for the nurse to check pulse oximetry for which of these patients?
a. A patient with emphysema and a respiratory rate of 16
b. A patient with massive obesity who is refusing to get out of bed
c. A patient with pneumonia who has just been admitted to the unit
d. A patient who has just received morphine sulfate for postoperative pain
C
Rationale: Pulmonary fibrosis causes the alveolar-capillary interface to become thicker, which increases
the amount of time it takes for gas to diffuse across the membrane. Too-rapid pulmonary blood flow is
another cause of shunt but does not describe the pathology of pulmonary fibrosis. Decrease in alveolar
ventilation will cause hypercapnia. Ventilation and perfusion are matched in pulmonary fibrosis; the
problem is with diffusion.
Cognitive Level: Application Text Reference: p. 1802
Nursing Process: Implementation NCLEX: Physiological Integrity - correct answers 3. When a patient is
diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis, the nurse will teach the patient about the risk for poor oxygenation
because of
a. too-rapid movement of blood flow through the pulmonary blood vessels.
b. incomplete filling of the alveoli with air because of reduced respiratory ability.
, c. decreased transfer of oxygen into the blood because of thickening of the alveoli.
d. mismatch between lung ventilation and blood flow through the blood vessels of the lung.
D
Rationale: A pulmonary embolus limits blood flow but does not affect ventilation, leading to a
ventilation-perfusion mismatch. The response beginning, "Oxygen transfer into your blood is slow
because of thick membranes" describes a diffusion problem. The remaining two responses describe
ventilation-perfusion mismatch with adequate blood flow but poor ventilation.
Cognitive Level: Application Text Reference: p. 1802
Nursing Process: Implementation NCLEX: Physiological Integrity - correct answers 4. A patient is
diagnosed with a large pulmonary embolism. When explaining to the patient what has happened to
cause respiratory failure, which information will the nurse include?
a. "Oxygen transfer into your blood is slow because of thick membranes between the small air sacs and
the lung circulation."
b. "Thick secretions in your small airways are blocking air from moving into the small air sacs in your
lungs."
c. "Large areas of your lungs are getting good blood flow but are not receiving enough air to fill the small
air sacs."
d. "Blood flow though some areas of your lungs is decreased even though you are taking adequate
breaths."
D
Rationale: The nurse needs to collect additional clinical data to share with the health care provider and
to start interventions quickly if appropriate (e.g., increased oxygen flow if hypoxic). The change in the
patient's neurologic status may indicate deterioration in respiratory function, and the health care
provider should be notified immediately but only after some additional information is obtained.
Monitoring the patient and attempting to calm the patient are appropriate actions, but they will not
prevent further deterioration of the patient's clinical status and may delay care.
Cognitive Level: Application Text Reference: pp. 1804-1805
Nursing Process: Assessment NCLEX: Physiological Integrity - correct answers 6. When assessing a
patient with chronic lung disease, the nurse finds a sudden onset of agitation and confusion. Which
action should the nurse take first?
Detailed Answers Pass Guaranteed.
C
Rationale: Hypoxemia and hypoxemic respiratory failure are caused by disorders that interfere with the
transfer of oxygen into the blood, such as pneumonia. The other listed disorders are more likely to cause
problems with hypercapnia because of ventilatory failure.
Cognitive Level: Application Text Reference: pp. 1799-1800
Nursing Process: Assessment NCLEX: Physiological Integrity - correct answers 1. It will be most important
for the nurse to check pulse oximetry for which of these patients?
a. A patient with emphysema and a respiratory rate of 16
b. A patient with massive obesity who is refusing to get out of bed
c. A patient with pneumonia who has just been admitted to the unit
d. A patient who has just received morphine sulfate for postoperative pain
C
Rationale: Pulmonary fibrosis causes the alveolar-capillary interface to become thicker, which increases
the amount of time it takes for gas to diffuse across the membrane. Too-rapid pulmonary blood flow is
another cause of shunt but does not describe the pathology of pulmonary fibrosis. Decrease in alveolar
ventilation will cause hypercapnia. Ventilation and perfusion are matched in pulmonary fibrosis; the
problem is with diffusion.
Cognitive Level: Application Text Reference: p. 1802
Nursing Process: Implementation NCLEX: Physiological Integrity - correct answers 3. When a patient is
diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis, the nurse will teach the patient about the risk for poor oxygenation
because of
a. too-rapid movement of blood flow through the pulmonary blood vessels.
b. incomplete filling of the alveoli with air because of reduced respiratory ability.
, c. decreased transfer of oxygen into the blood because of thickening of the alveoli.
d. mismatch between lung ventilation and blood flow through the blood vessels of the lung.
D
Rationale: A pulmonary embolus limits blood flow but does not affect ventilation, leading to a
ventilation-perfusion mismatch. The response beginning, "Oxygen transfer into your blood is slow
because of thick membranes" describes a diffusion problem. The remaining two responses describe
ventilation-perfusion mismatch with adequate blood flow but poor ventilation.
Cognitive Level: Application Text Reference: p. 1802
Nursing Process: Implementation NCLEX: Physiological Integrity - correct answers 4. A patient is
diagnosed with a large pulmonary embolism. When explaining to the patient what has happened to
cause respiratory failure, which information will the nurse include?
a. "Oxygen transfer into your blood is slow because of thick membranes between the small air sacs and
the lung circulation."
b. "Thick secretions in your small airways are blocking air from moving into the small air sacs in your
lungs."
c. "Large areas of your lungs are getting good blood flow but are not receiving enough air to fill the small
air sacs."
d. "Blood flow though some areas of your lungs is decreased even though you are taking adequate
breaths."
D
Rationale: The nurse needs to collect additional clinical data to share with the health care provider and
to start interventions quickly if appropriate (e.g., increased oxygen flow if hypoxic). The change in the
patient's neurologic status may indicate deterioration in respiratory function, and the health care
provider should be notified immediately but only after some additional information is obtained.
Monitoring the patient and attempting to calm the patient are appropriate actions, but they will not
prevent further deterioration of the patient's clinical status and may delay care.
Cognitive Level: Application Text Reference: pp. 1804-1805
Nursing Process: Assessment NCLEX: Physiological Integrity - correct answers 6. When assessing a
patient with chronic lung disease, the nurse finds a sudden onset of agitation and confusion. Which
action should the nurse take first?
