NUR 417 NURSING CARE OF THE ADULT 2
EXAM 2 REVIEW | 300 LATEST EXAM
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS
WITH RATIONALES | CHAMBERLAIN
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF NURSING |
(NEWEST 2026/2027 GUIDE)| ALREADY
GRADED A+
INTRODUCTION
This comprehensive 2026/2027 study guide contains 300 actual exam
questions, verified correct answers, and deep clinical rationales.
Covers mechanical ventilation, ARDS, hemodynamic monitoring,
shock management, and acute respiratory failure. 100% success
guaranteed for Nursing Care of the Adult II.
SECTION I — RESPIRATORY & OXYGENATION
Question 1
A nurse is assessing a patient with acute respiratory distress. Which finding requires the most
immediate intervention?
A. Respiratory rate of 24/min
B. Oxygen saturation of 88%
C. Mild anxiety
D. Productive cough
Answer: B. Oxygen saturation of 88%
Rationale: An oxygen saturation of 88% indicates significant hypoxemia. Airway and
breathing must be addressed promptly because inadequate oxygenation can rapidly lead to
tissue hypoxia.
Question 2
,A patient with COPD is receiving oxygen therapy. Which oxygen-delivery method allows the
nurse to provide the most precise concentration of oxygen?
A. Nasal cannula
B. Simple face mask
C. Venturi mask
D. Nonrebreather mask
Answer: C. Venturi mask
Rationale: A Venturi mask delivers a controlled, precise FiO₂ and is particularly useful when
carefully titrated oxygen therapy is needed.
Question 3
A patient with COPD becomes increasingly drowsy while receiving supplemental oxygen.
Which assessment is the priority?
A. Blood glucose
B. Arterial blood gas
C. Urine output
D. Peripheral pulses
Answer: B. Arterial blood gas
Rationale: Increasing drowsiness may indicate worsening hypercapnia or respiratory failure.
An ABG provides information about oxygenation, ventilation, and acid-base status.
Question 4
Which ABG result indicates respiratory acidosis without compensation?
A. pH 7.30, PaCO₂ 52 mmHg, HCO₃⁻ 24 mEq/L
B. pH 7.48, PaCO₂ 30 mmHg, HCO₃⁻ 23 mEq/L
C. pH 7.35, PaCO₂ 40 mmHg, HCO₃⁻ 24 mEq/L
D. pH 7.50, PaCO₂ 48 mmHg, HCO₃⁻ 35 mEq/L
Answer: A. pH 7.30, PaCO₂ 52 mmHg, HCO₃⁻ 24 mEq/L
Rationale: The low pH indicates acidosis, while the elevated PaCO₂ identifies a respiratory
cause. The normal bicarbonate indicates that metabolic compensation has not yet occurred.
Question 5
,A patient with acute respiratory failure has a PaO₂ of 52 mmHg despite supplemental oxygen.
How should the nurse interpret this finding?
A. Normal oxygenation
B. Hypoxemia
C. Metabolic alkalosis
D. Hyperglycemia
Answer: B. Hypoxemia
Rationale: A PaO₂ of 52 mmHg represents significant arterial hypoxemia and requires
prompt assessment and treatment.
Question 6
A patient with severe asthma suddenly develops a markedly diminished wheeze. The nurse
should recognize this finding as:
A. Improvement
B. Resolution of airway inflammation
C. Possible severe airflow obstruction
D. Expected after bronchodilator therapy
Answer: C. Possible severe airflow obstruction
Rationale: A “silent chest” or markedly diminished breath sounds in severe asthma may
indicate critically reduced airflow and impending respiratory failure.
Question 7
Which intervention is appropriate for a patient experiencing an acute asthma exacerbation?
A. Encourage rapid shallow breathing
B. Administer the prescribed short-acting bronchodilator
C. Place the patient flat
D. Restrict oxygen therapy
Answer: B. Administer the prescribed short-acting bronchodilator
Rationale: Short-acting bronchodilators such as albuterol rapidly relax bronchial smooth
muscle and improve airflow during acute bronchospasm.
Question 8
, A patient with pneumonia has crackles, fever, and an oxygen saturation of 86%. Which
nursing action has the highest priority?
A. Encourage oral fluids
B. Apply supplemental oxygen as prescribed
C. Obtain a dietary history
D. Encourage ambulation
Answer: B. Apply supplemental oxygen as prescribed
Rationale: The patient is hypoxemic. Oxygenation is an immediate priority before less urgent
interventions.
Question 9
Which assessment finding is most consistent with pulmonary edema?
A. Dry mucous membranes
B. Pink, frothy sputum
C. Bradycardia
D. Absent bowel sounds
Answer: B. Pink, frothy sputum
Rationale: Pink or blood-tinged frothy sputum is a classic finding associated with pulmonary
edema caused by fluid accumulation in the alveoli.
Question 10
A patient with acute pulmonary edema is severely dyspneic. Which position should the nurse
use?
A. Supine
B. Trendelenburg
C. High-Fowler's
D. Prone with legs elevated
Answer: C. High-Fowler's
Rationale: High-Fowler's positioning improves lung expansion and decreases venous return,
which can reduce pulmonary congestion.
Question 11
EXAM 2 REVIEW | 300 LATEST EXAM
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS
WITH RATIONALES | CHAMBERLAIN
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF NURSING |
(NEWEST 2026/2027 GUIDE)| ALREADY
GRADED A+
INTRODUCTION
This comprehensive 2026/2027 study guide contains 300 actual exam
questions, verified correct answers, and deep clinical rationales.
Covers mechanical ventilation, ARDS, hemodynamic monitoring,
shock management, and acute respiratory failure. 100% success
guaranteed for Nursing Care of the Adult II.
SECTION I — RESPIRATORY & OXYGENATION
Question 1
A nurse is assessing a patient with acute respiratory distress. Which finding requires the most
immediate intervention?
A. Respiratory rate of 24/min
B. Oxygen saturation of 88%
C. Mild anxiety
D. Productive cough
Answer: B. Oxygen saturation of 88%
Rationale: An oxygen saturation of 88% indicates significant hypoxemia. Airway and
breathing must be addressed promptly because inadequate oxygenation can rapidly lead to
tissue hypoxia.
Question 2
,A patient with COPD is receiving oxygen therapy. Which oxygen-delivery method allows the
nurse to provide the most precise concentration of oxygen?
A. Nasal cannula
B. Simple face mask
C. Venturi mask
D. Nonrebreather mask
Answer: C. Venturi mask
Rationale: A Venturi mask delivers a controlled, precise FiO₂ and is particularly useful when
carefully titrated oxygen therapy is needed.
Question 3
A patient with COPD becomes increasingly drowsy while receiving supplemental oxygen.
Which assessment is the priority?
A. Blood glucose
B. Arterial blood gas
C. Urine output
D. Peripheral pulses
Answer: B. Arterial blood gas
Rationale: Increasing drowsiness may indicate worsening hypercapnia or respiratory failure.
An ABG provides information about oxygenation, ventilation, and acid-base status.
Question 4
Which ABG result indicates respiratory acidosis without compensation?
A. pH 7.30, PaCO₂ 52 mmHg, HCO₃⁻ 24 mEq/L
B. pH 7.48, PaCO₂ 30 mmHg, HCO₃⁻ 23 mEq/L
C. pH 7.35, PaCO₂ 40 mmHg, HCO₃⁻ 24 mEq/L
D. pH 7.50, PaCO₂ 48 mmHg, HCO₃⁻ 35 mEq/L
Answer: A. pH 7.30, PaCO₂ 52 mmHg, HCO₃⁻ 24 mEq/L
Rationale: The low pH indicates acidosis, while the elevated PaCO₂ identifies a respiratory
cause. The normal bicarbonate indicates that metabolic compensation has not yet occurred.
Question 5
,A patient with acute respiratory failure has a PaO₂ of 52 mmHg despite supplemental oxygen.
How should the nurse interpret this finding?
A. Normal oxygenation
B. Hypoxemia
C. Metabolic alkalosis
D. Hyperglycemia
Answer: B. Hypoxemia
Rationale: A PaO₂ of 52 mmHg represents significant arterial hypoxemia and requires
prompt assessment and treatment.
Question 6
A patient with severe asthma suddenly develops a markedly diminished wheeze. The nurse
should recognize this finding as:
A. Improvement
B. Resolution of airway inflammation
C. Possible severe airflow obstruction
D. Expected after bronchodilator therapy
Answer: C. Possible severe airflow obstruction
Rationale: A “silent chest” or markedly diminished breath sounds in severe asthma may
indicate critically reduced airflow and impending respiratory failure.
Question 7
Which intervention is appropriate for a patient experiencing an acute asthma exacerbation?
A. Encourage rapid shallow breathing
B. Administer the prescribed short-acting bronchodilator
C. Place the patient flat
D. Restrict oxygen therapy
Answer: B. Administer the prescribed short-acting bronchodilator
Rationale: Short-acting bronchodilators such as albuterol rapidly relax bronchial smooth
muscle and improve airflow during acute bronchospasm.
Question 8
, A patient with pneumonia has crackles, fever, and an oxygen saturation of 86%. Which
nursing action has the highest priority?
A. Encourage oral fluids
B. Apply supplemental oxygen as prescribed
C. Obtain a dietary history
D. Encourage ambulation
Answer: B. Apply supplemental oxygen as prescribed
Rationale: The patient is hypoxemic. Oxygenation is an immediate priority before less urgent
interventions.
Question 9
Which assessment finding is most consistent with pulmonary edema?
A. Dry mucous membranes
B. Pink, frothy sputum
C. Bradycardia
D. Absent bowel sounds
Answer: B. Pink, frothy sputum
Rationale: Pink or blood-tinged frothy sputum is a classic finding associated with pulmonary
edema caused by fluid accumulation in the alveoli.
Question 10
A patient with acute pulmonary edema is severely dyspneic. Which position should the nurse
use?
A. Supine
B. Trendelenburg
C. High-Fowler's
D. Prone with legs elevated
Answer: C. High-Fowler's
Rationale: High-Fowler's positioning improves lung expansion and decreases venous return,
which can reduce pulmonary congestion.
Question 11
