,NU 325 Exam 2 | Health Assessment | University of
South Alabama
1. Which of the following best describes the primary function of the thoracic cage?
A) It produces red blood cells through bone marrow.
B) It protects the heart and lungs while allowing respiratory expansion.
C) It serves as the main site of gas exchange.
D) It regulates systemic vascular resistance.
Correct Answer: It protects the heart and lungs while allowing respiratory
expansion.
Rationale: The thoracic cage protects the heart, lungs, and great vessels while
its mobility permits respiratory expansion. Hematopoiesis is not its primary
function, gas exchange occurs in the alveoli, and vascular resistance is regulated
elsewhere.
2. What is the primary purpose of inspecting the chest for symmetry and shape
during a respiratory assessment?
A) To determine the patient’s oxygen saturation
B) To identify deformities or unequal expansion that may indicate underlying
disease
C) To measure the depth of respiration
D) To assess the presence of tactile fremitus
Correct Answer: To identify deformities or unequal expansion that may
indicate underlying disease
,Rationale: Inspection reveals barrel chest, pectus deformities, and asymmetrical
expansion that suggest underlying pulmonary or musculoskeletal disease. Oxygen
saturation requires pulse oximetry, depth is assessed during palpation or
observation, and tactile fremitus is a palpation technique.
3. The nurse is percussing the posterior thorax and notes a dull sound over one
lower lobe. Which condition most likely explains this finding?
A) Normal lung tissue
B) Hyperinflation from emphysema
C) Consolidation or pleural fluid
D) Pneumothorax
Correct Answer: Consolidation or pleural fluid
Rationale: Dullness on percussion suggests increased density, such as
consolidation from pneumonia or pleural effusion. Normal lung tissue is resonant,
emphysema produces hyperresonance, and pneumothorax produces
hyperresonance.
4. During auscultation, which breath sound is normally heard over the trachea and
is high-pitched and loud?
A) Vesicular
B) Bronchial
C) Bronchovesicular
D) Crackles
Correct Answer: Bronchial
, Rationale: Bronchial breath sounds are normally heard over the trachea and are
high-pitched and loud with a hollow quality. Vesicular sounds are soft and low-
pitched over peripheral lung fields, bronchovesicular sounds are heard over the
mainstem bronchi, and crackles are abnormal.
5. What is the primary mechanism of vesicular breath sounds?
A) Air moving through the trachea
B) Air moving through large bronchi
C) Air moving through smaller airways and alveoli
D) Fluid in the alveoli
Correct Answer: Air moving through smaller airways and alveoli
Rationale: Vesicular sounds are produced by air moving through smaller
airways and alveoli, creating soft, low-pitched sounds heard over most of the lung
fields. Tracheal and bronchial sounds arise from larger airways, and fluid in
alveoli produces crackles.
6. A patient has an increased anteroposterior chest diameter with a barrel-shaped
appearance. Which condition is most likely?
A) Pneumonia
B) Emphysema
C) Pleural effusion
D) Atelectasis
Correct Answer: Emphysema
South Alabama
1. Which of the following best describes the primary function of the thoracic cage?
A) It produces red blood cells through bone marrow.
B) It protects the heart and lungs while allowing respiratory expansion.
C) It serves as the main site of gas exchange.
D) It regulates systemic vascular resistance.
Correct Answer: It protects the heart and lungs while allowing respiratory
expansion.
Rationale: The thoracic cage protects the heart, lungs, and great vessels while
its mobility permits respiratory expansion. Hematopoiesis is not its primary
function, gas exchange occurs in the alveoli, and vascular resistance is regulated
elsewhere.
2. What is the primary purpose of inspecting the chest for symmetry and shape
during a respiratory assessment?
A) To determine the patient’s oxygen saturation
B) To identify deformities or unequal expansion that may indicate underlying
disease
C) To measure the depth of respiration
D) To assess the presence of tactile fremitus
Correct Answer: To identify deformities or unequal expansion that may
indicate underlying disease
,Rationale: Inspection reveals barrel chest, pectus deformities, and asymmetrical
expansion that suggest underlying pulmonary or musculoskeletal disease. Oxygen
saturation requires pulse oximetry, depth is assessed during palpation or
observation, and tactile fremitus is a palpation technique.
3. The nurse is percussing the posterior thorax and notes a dull sound over one
lower lobe. Which condition most likely explains this finding?
A) Normal lung tissue
B) Hyperinflation from emphysema
C) Consolidation or pleural fluid
D) Pneumothorax
Correct Answer: Consolidation or pleural fluid
Rationale: Dullness on percussion suggests increased density, such as
consolidation from pneumonia or pleural effusion. Normal lung tissue is resonant,
emphysema produces hyperresonance, and pneumothorax produces
hyperresonance.
4. During auscultation, which breath sound is normally heard over the trachea and
is high-pitched and loud?
A) Vesicular
B) Bronchial
C) Bronchovesicular
D) Crackles
Correct Answer: Bronchial
, Rationale: Bronchial breath sounds are normally heard over the trachea and are
high-pitched and loud with a hollow quality. Vesicular sounds are soft and low-
pitched over peripheral lung fields, bronchovesicular sounds are heard over the
mainstem bronchi, and crackles are abnormal.
5. What is the primary mechanism of vesicular breath sounds?
A) Air moving through the trachea
B) Air moving through large bronchi
C) Air moving through smaller airways and alveoli
D) Fluid in the alveoli
Correct Answer: Air moving through smaller airways and alveoli
Rationale: Vesicular sounds are produced by air moving through smaller
airways and alveoli, creating soft, low-pitched sounds heard over most of the lung
fields. Tracheal and bronchial sounds arise from larger airways, and fluid in
alveoli produces crackles.
6. A patient has an increased anteroposterior chest diameter with a barrel-shaped
appearance. Which condition is most likely?
A) Pneumonia
B) Emphysema
C) Pleural effusion
D) Atelectasis
Correct Answer: Emphysema
