NUR 2356: MULTIDIMENSIONAL CARE
II - EXAM 2 COMPREHENSIVE
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS
|GRADE A+| JUST RELEASED
1. A patient’s arterial blood gas (ABG) results are: pH 7.30, PaCO2 52 mmHg, and HCO3 26
mEq/L. How should the nurse interpret these results?
A. Metabolic acidosis
B. Respiratory acidosis
C. Respiratory alkalosis
D. Metabolic alkalosis
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis. A PaCO2 above 45 mmHg
indicates a respiratory cause. Since the bicarbonate is normal, it is uncompensated
respiratory acidosis.
2. Which clinical manifestation should a nurse prioritize when assessing a patient for a
suspected tension pneumothorax?
A. Bradycardia and hypertension
B. Productive cough with rust-colored sputum
,C. Increased breath sounds on the affected side
D. Tracheal deviation to the unaffected side
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Tracheal deviation is a late and life-threatening sign of tension
pneumothorax, indicating significant mediastinal shift.
3. A patient with COPD is receiving oxygen at 2L/min via nasal cannula. The nurse notes the
patient’s respiratory rate has dropped to 8 breaths/min. What is the most likely cause?
A. Improvement in oxygenation
B. Anxiety reduction
C. Loss of the hypoxic drive to breathe
D. Development of metabolic alkalosis
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: In some patients with chronic hypercapnia (COPD), high levels
of oxygen can suppress the peripheral chemoreceptors, which provide the primary
stimulus to breathe (the hypoxic drive).
4. When caring for a patient with a chest tube, the nurse notes continuous bubbling in the
water-seal chamber. What action should the nurse take first?
A. Check the system for an air leak
B. Document the finding as normal
, C. Turn up the suction wall gauge
D. Clamp the chest tube immediately
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Continuous bubbling in the water-seal chamber indicates an air
leak in the system or from the patient’s lung; intermittent bubbling during expiration is
normal.
5. Which medication is considered a ‘rescue’ inhaler for a patient experiencing an acute
asthma attack?
A. Salmeterol
B. Tiotropium
C. Fluticasone
D. Albuterol
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Albuterol is a short-acting beta-agonist (SABA) that provides
rapid bronchodilation during acute symptoms.
6. A nurse is assessing a patient with right-sided heart failure. Which finding is most
expected?
A. Pulmonary crackles
B. Orthopnea
II - EXAM 2 COMPREHENSIVE
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS
|GRADE A+| JUST RELEASED
1. A patient’s arterial blood gas (ABG) results are: pH 7.30, PaCO2 52 mmHg, and HCO3 26
mEq/L. How should the nurse interpret these results?
A. Metabolic acidosis
B. Respiratory acidosis
C. Respiratory alkalosis
D. Metabolic alkalosis
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis. A PaCO2 above 45 mmHg
indicates a respiratory cause. Since the bicarbonate is normal, it is uncompensated
respiratory acidosis.
2. Which clinical manifestation should a nurse prioritize when assessing a patient for a
suspected tension pneumothorax?
A. Bradycardia and hypertension
B. Productive cough with rust-colored sputum
,C. Increased breath sounds on the affected side
D. Tracheal deviation to the unaffected side
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Tracheal deviation is a late and life-threatening sign of tension
pneumothorax, indicating significant mediastinal shift.
3. A patient with COPD is receiving oxygen at 2L/min via nasal cannula. The nurse notes the
patient’s respiratory rate has dropped to 8 breaths/min. What is the most likely cause?
A. Improvement in oxygenation
B. Anxiety reduction
C. Loss of the hypoxic drive to breathe
D. Development of metabolic alkalosis
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: In some patients with chronic hypercapnia (COPD), high levels
of oxygen can suppress the peripheral chemoreceptors, which provide the primary
stimulus to breathe (the hypoxic drive).
4. When caring for a patient with a chest tube, the nurse notes continuous bubbling in the
water-seal chamber. What action should the nurse take first?
A. Check the system for an air leak
B. Document the finding as normal
, C. Turn up the suction wall gauge
D. Clamp the chest tube immediately
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Continuous bubbling in the water-seal chamber indicates an air
leak in the system or from the patient’s lung; intermittent bubbling during expiration is
normal.
5. Which medication is considered a ‘rescue’ inhaler for a patient experiencing an acute
asthma attack?
A. Salmeterol
B. Tiotropium
C. Fluticasone
D. Albuterol
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Albuterol is a short-acting beta-agonist (SABA) that provides
rapid bronchodilation during acute symptoms.
6. A nurse is assessing a patient with right-sided heart failure. Which finding is most
expected?
A. Pulmonary crackles
B. Orthopnea
