NUR 185 Exam 2026/2027 | Hondros College | Complete
Practice Questions, Correct Answers & Detailed Rationales
Section 1: Gas Exchange, Oxygenation & Respiratory Care
1. A client with impaired gas exchange is most likely to demonstrate
which finding?
A. Oxygen saturation of 98%
B. Cyanosis and restlessness
C. Warm, dry skin
D. Increased appetite
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypoxemia can cause restlessness, anxiety, confusion, and
cyanosis. Normal oxygenation generally produces an adequate oxygen
saturation without these findings.
2. What is the primary purpose of a chest tube after a pneumothorax?
A. Remove fluid from the stomach
B. Remove air from the pleural space
C. Deliver oxygen to the alveoli
D. Prevent pulmonary embolism
Answer: B
Rationale: A chest tube evacuates air from the pleural space, allowing
the lung to re-expand.
3. Which finding in a client with a chest tube requires immediate
attention?
,A. Tidaling in the water-seal chamber
B. Mild discomfort at the insertion site
C. Sudden absence of previously present drainage-system activity with
respiratory deterioration
D. Small amount of serous drainage
Answer: C
Rationale: A sudden change accompanied by respiratory deterioration
may indicate obstruction, disconnection, or another serious problem
requiring immediate assessment.
4. The nurse notes continuous bubbling in the water-seal chamber of a
chest drainage system. What does this most commonly indicate?
A. Normal lung expansion
B. An air leak
C. Complete lung re-expansion
D. Fluid overload
Answer: B
Rationale: Continuous bubbling in the water-seal chamber generally
indicates an air leak somewhere in the system.
5. Which oxygen-delivery device provides a precise oxygen
concentration?
A. Nasal cannula
B. Simple face mask
C. Venturi mask
D. Nonrebreather mask
,Answer: C
Rationale: A Venturi mask uses controlled air entrainment to deliver a
predictable oxygen concentration.
6. Which intervention is appropriate when administering oxygen?
A. Allow smoking near the oxygen source
B. Use petroleum-based products around the nares
C. Keep oxygen away from flames and ignition sources
D. Place electrical equipment directly against the oxygen tank
Answer: C
Rationale: Oxygen supports combustion. Smoking, flames, and sparks
must be kept away from oxygen.
7. A client has a tracheostomy. Which finding requires the nurse's
immediate attention?
A. Small amount of clear secretions
B. Oxygen saturation suddenly falling
C. Mild coughing during suctioning
D. Moist tracheostomy dressing
Answer: B
Rationale: A sudden oxygen desaturation can indicate airway
obstruction or another respiratory emergency.
8. What is the primary purpose of suctioning a tracheostomy?
A. Prevent dehydration
B. Remove airway secretions
C. Increase blood pressure
D. Decrease urine output
, Answer: B
Rationale: Suctioning removes accumulated secretions that could
obstruct the artificial airway.
9. Before suctioning an artificial airway, the nurse should generally:
A. Withhold oxygen
B. Hyperoxygenate according to protocol
C. Place the client flat
D. Give oral fluids immediately
Answer: B
Rationale: Preoxygenation helps reduce the risk of hypoxemia
associated with suctioning.
10. How long should a single suction pass generally be limited to?
A. 5–10 seconds
B. 30–45 seconds
C. 1 minute
D. 2 minutes
Answer: A
Rationale: Brief suction passes reduce the risk of hypoxemia, mucosal
trauma, and dysrhythmias.
11. Which assessment is most important immediately after
tracheostomy suctioning?
A. Bowel sounds
B. Oxygenation and respiratory status
C. Skin temperature
D. Urine color
Practice Questions, Correct Answers & Detailed Rationales
Section 1: Gas Exchange, Oxygenation & Respiratory Care
1. A client with impaired gas exchange is most likely to demonstrate
which finding?
A. Oxygen saturation of 98%
B. Cyanosis and restlessness
C. Warm, dry skin
D. Increased appetite
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypoxemia can cause restlessness, anxiety, confusion, and
cyanosis. Normal oxygenation generally produces an adequate oxygen
saturation without these findings.
2. What is the primary purpose of a chest tube after a pneumothorax?
A. Remove fluid from the stomach
B. Remove air from the pleural space
C. Deliver oxygen to the alveoli
D. Prevent pulmonary embolism
Answer: B
Rationale: A chest tube evacuates air from the pleural space, allowing
the lung to re-expand.
3. Which finding in a client with a chest tube requires immediate
attention?
,A. Tidaling in the water-seal chamber
B. Mild discomfort at the insertion site
C. Sudden absence of previously present drainage-system activity with
respiratory deterioration
D. Small amount of serous drainage
Answer: C
Rationale: A sudden change accompanied by respiratory deterioration
may indicate obstruction, disconnection, or another serious problem
requiring immediate assessment.
4. The nurse notes continuous bubbling in the water-seal chamber of a
chest drainage system. What does this most commonly indicate?
A. Normal lung expansion
B. An air leak
C. Complete lung re-expansion
D. Fluid overload
Answer: B
Rationale: Continuous bubbling in the water-seal chamber generally
indicates an air leak somewhere in the system.
5. Which oxygen-delivery device provides a precise oxygen
concentration?
A. Nasal cannula
B. Simple face mask
C. Venturi mask
D. Nonrebreather mask
,Answer: C
Rationale: A Venturi mask uses controlled air entrainment to deliver a
predictable oxygen concentration.
6. Which intervention is appropriate when administering oxygen?
A. Allow smoking near the oxygen source
B. Use petroleum-based products around the nares
C. Keep oxygen away from flames and ignition sources
D. Place electrical equipment directly against the oxygen tank
Answer: C
Rationale: Oxygen supports combustion. Smoking, flames, and sparks
must be kept away from oxygen.
7. A client has a tracheostomy. Which finding requires the nurse's
immediate attention?
A. Small amount of clear secretions
B. Oxygen saturation suddenly falling
C. Mild coughing during suctioning
D. Moist tracheostomy dressing
Answer: B
Rationale: A sudden oxygen desaturation can indicate airway
obstruction or another respiratory emergency.
8. What is the primary purpose of suctioning a tracheostomy?
A. Prevent dehydration
B. Remove airway secretions
C. Increase blood pressure
D. Decrease urine output
, Answer: B
Rationale: Suctioning removes accumulated secretions that could
obstruct the artificial airway.
9. Before suctioning an artificial airway, the nurse should generally:
A. Withhold oxygen
B. Hyperoxygenate according to protocol
C. Place the client flat
D. Give oral fluids immediately
Answer: B
Rationale: Preoxygenation helps reduce the risk of hypoxemia
associated with suctioning.
10. How long should a single suction pass generally be limited to?
A. 5–10 seconds
B. 30–45 seconds
C. 1 minute
D. 2 minutes
Answer: A
Rationale: Brief suction passes reduce the risk of hypoxemia, mucosal
trauma, and dysrhythmias.
11. Which assessment is most important immediately after
tracheostomy suctioning?
A. Bowel sounds
B. Oxygenation and respiratory status
C. Skin temperature
D. Urine color
