NUR 185 Final Exam 2026/2027 | Hondros College | 300+
Practice Questions, Correct Answers & Detailed Rationales
Section 1: Respiratory Disorders, Oxygenation & Ventilation
1.
A client with COPD is receiving oxygen. Which oxygen-delivery method
is most appropriate when a precise low concentration of oxygen is
required?
A. Nonrebreather mask
B. Venturi mask
C. Simple face mask
D. Partial-rebreather mask
Answer: B. Venturi mask
Rationale: A Venturi mask delivers a precise oxygen concentration and
is useful for clients with COPD who may be sensitive to excessive
oxygen.
2.
Which finding is most concerning in a client experiencing an acute
asthma attack?
A. Mild anxiety
B. Productive cough
C. Silent chest
D. Respiratory rate of 22/min
Answer: C. Silent chest
,Rationale: A silent chest can indicate extremely poor airflow and
impending respiratory failure.
3.
A client with COPD has an oxygen saturation of 88%. Which action
should the nurse take first?
A. Remove oxygen
B. Assess respiratory status
C. Administer a sedative
D. Place the client supine
Answer: B. Assess respiratory status
Rationale: The nurse should assess airway, breathing, respiratory effort,
and mental status before determining additional interventions.
4.
Which position generally improves ventilation in a client experiencing
dyspnea?
A. Supine
B. Trendelenburg
C. High-Fowler's
D. Prone
Answer: C. High-Fowler's
Rationale: Upright positioning promotes lung expansion and decreases
diaphragmatic pressure.
5.
Which medication is commonly used as a rescue bronchodilator?
,A. Albuterol
B. Prednisone
C. Montelukast
D. Fluticasone
Answer: A. Albuterol
Rationale: Albuterol is a short-acting beta₂ agonist used for rapid relief
of bronchospasm.
6.
Which adverse effect should the nurse expect after albuterol
administration?
A. Bradycardia
B. Tremors
C. Severe constipation
D. Urinary retention
Answer: B. Tremors
Rationale: Beta₂ agonists commonly cause tremor, nervousness, and
tachycardia.
7.
A client receiving mechanical ventilation has a high-pressure alarm.
What should the nurse assess first?
A. Whether the ventilator is unplugged
B. The client's airway and tubing
C. The client's blood glucose
D. The urinary output
, Answer: B. The client's airway and tubing
Rationale: High-pressure alarms may result from secretions, biting the
tube, obstruction, or decreased lung compliance.
8.
A low-pressure ventilator alarm commonly indicates:
A. Airway obstruction
B. Increased secretions
C. Circuit disconnection or leak
D. Bronchospasm
Answer: C. Circuit disconnection or leak
Rationale: A low-pressure alarm often signals a leak or disconnection in
the ventilator system.
9.
Which intervention helps prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia?
A. Keeping the client flat
B. Elevating the head of the bed
C. Avoiding oral care
D. Limiting suctioning
Answer: B. Elevating the head of the bed
Rationale: Elevating the head of the bed reduces aspiration risk and is
an important VAP-prevention measure.
10.
Before suctioning an artificial airway, the nurse should:
Practice Questions, Correct Answers & Detailed Rationales
Section 1: Respiratory Disorders, Oxygenation & Ventilation
1.
A client with COPD is receiving oxygen. Which oxygen-delivery method
is most appropriate when a precise low concentration of oxygen is
required?
A. Nonrebreather mask
B. Venturi mask
C. Simple face mask
D. Partial-rebreather mask
Answer: B. Venturi mask
Rationale: A Venturi mask delivers a precise oxygen concentration and
is useful for clients with COPD who may be sensitive to excessive
oxygen.
2.
Which finding is most concerning in a client experiencing an acute
asthma attack?
A. Mild anxiety
B. Productive cough
C. Silent chest
D. Respiratory rate of 22/min
Answer: C. Silent chest
,Rationale: A silent chest can indicate extremely poor airflow and
impending respiratory failure.
3.
A client with COPD has an oxygen saturation of 88%. Which action
should the nurse take first?
A. Remove oxygen
B. Assess respiratory status
C. Administer a sedative
D. Place the client supine
Answer: B. Assess respiratory status
Rationale: The nurse should assess airway, breathing, respiratory effort,
and mental status before determining additional interventions.
4.
Which position generally improves ventilation in a client experiencing
dyspnea?
A. Supine
B. Trendelenburg
C. High-Fowler's
D. Prone
Answer: C. High-Fowler's
Rationale: Upright positioning promotes lung expansion and decreases
diaphragmatic pressure.
5.
Which medication is commonly used as a rescue bronchodilator?
,A. Albuterol
B. Prednisone
C. Montelukast
D. Fluticasone
Answer: A. Albuterol
Rationale: Albuterol is a short-acting beta₂ agonist used for rapid relief
of bronchospasm.
6.
Which adverse effect should the nurse expect after albuterol
administration?
A. Bradycardia
B. Tremors
C. Severe constipation
D. Urinary retention
Answer: B. Tremors
Rationale: Beta₂ agonists commonly cause tremor, nervousness, and
tachycardia.
7.
A client receiving mechanical ventilation has a high-pressure alarm.
What should the nurse assess first?
A. Whether the ventilator is unplugged
B. The client's airway and tubing
C. The client's blood glucose
D. The urinary output
, Answer: B. The client's airway and tubing
Rationale: High-pressure alarms may result from secretions, biting the
tube, obstruction, or decreased lung compliance.
8.
A low-pressure ventilator alarm commonly indicates:
A. Airway obstruction
B. Increased secretions
C. Circuit disconnection or leak
D. Bronchospasm
Answer: C. Circuit disconnection or leak
Rationale: A low-pressure alarm often signals a leak or disconnection in
the ventilator system.
9.
Which intervention helps prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia?
A. Keeping the client flat
B. Elevating the head of the bed
C. Avoiding oral care
D. Limiting suctioning
Answer: B. Elevating the head of the bed
Rationale: Elevating the head of the bed reduces aspiration risk and is
an important VAP-prevention measure.
10.
Before suctioning an artificial airway, the nurse should:
