NUR 216 - Module 6 - Respiratory Assessment Exam Questions with Verified Solutions Latest Update
2025-2027 (Rated A+)
What tools are needed for respiratory assessment? - Answers Watch, stethoscope, spirometer, pulse
oximeter
What health assessment techniques are used? - Answers Inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation
How many lobes does each lung have? - Answers Right - 3
Left - 2
Does each lobe have to be auscultated separately? - Answers Yes, one lobe can be affected while others
are not
What is ventilation? - Answers The exchange of O2 and CO2 in the lungs
What is respiratory related diffusion? - Answers The exchange of O2 and CO2 between alveoli and RBCs
What condition will occur if there is insufficient diffusion taking place in the lungs? - Answers Hypoxemia
What are the early symptoms of hypoxemia? - Answers Tachypnea, tachycardia, restlessness, pale skin
and mucous membranes, hypertension, respiratory distress
What are the late symptoms of hypoxemia? - Answers Confusion, stupor, cyanotic skin and mucous
membranes, bradypnea, bradycardia, hypotension, cardiac dysrhythmias
What is perfusion? - Answers The exchange of O2 and CO2 between RBCs and cells/tissues
What condition occurs when there is a lack of perfusion? - Answers Hypoxia
What are the early symptoms of hypoxia? - Answers RAT (restlessness, anxiety/agitation,
tachycardia/tachypnea), diaphoresis, dyspnea on exertion, hypertension, arrhythmias, decreased urine
output, unexplained fatigue
What are the late symptoms of hypoxia? - Answers BED (Bradycardia, extreme restlessness, dyspnea
(severe), cyanosis, cool, clammy skin, use of accessory muscles, retractions, hypotension, arrhythmias
What are the symptoms of hypoxia in pediatrics? (FINES) - Answers Feeding difficulty
Inspiratory stridor
Nasal flaring
Expiratory grunting
Sternal retractions
Can hypoxia occur without hypoxemia happening first? - Answers No
, What is included in the respiratory assessment? - Answers Observe rate, rhythm (regular/irregular) and
depth (normal/deep/shallow) of chest wall movement during inspiration and expiration
Regular rate: count for 30 seconds
Irregular rate: count for one full minute
Depth: what is tidal volume? What is being observed? What can affect depth? - Answers Tidal volume is
the amount of air that moves in and out of the lungs with each breath
Observe expansion of the chest for symmetry during inspiration and expiration
Pain: respirations become shallow
Exercise: respirations become deep
What are Cheyne-Stokes respirations? List examples. - Answers Breathing cycles that increase in rate
and depth then decrease into a period of apnea (i.e. dying patient, HF or ICP)
What is apnea? - Answers Absence of breathing
What is Kussmaul's breathing? - Answers Deep and gasping respirations (i.e. shock, septic, renal failure)
Where on the body can a pulse oximeter be placed for oxygen saturation assessment? - Answers
Fingers, toes, earlobes and bridge of nose (most common sites)
**Be sure patient has no nail polish on or artificial nails
What is the normal O2 saturation levels? For COPD patient? - Answers 95-100%, low 90's expected for
COPD patient
What are some expected respiratory changes in the older adult? - Answers 1. Decreased cilia; decreases
their ability to remove secretions
2. Increased risk of aspiration
3. Decreased elasticity of lungs
What should be noted in general survey portion of respiratory assessment? - Answers Respiratory rate,
effort and depth
LOC
Color
Muscle use
Patient's position
2025-2027 (Rated A+)
What tools are needed for respiratory assessment? - Answers Watch, stethoscope, spirometer, pulse
oximeter
What health assessment techniques are used? - Answers Inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation
How many lobes does each lung have? - Answers Right - 3
Left - 2
Does each lobe have to be auscultated separately? - Answers Yes, one lobe can be affected while others
are not
What is ventilation? - Answers The exchange of O2 and CO2 in the lungs
What is respiratory related diffusion? - Answers The exchange of O2 and CO2 between alveoli and RBCs
What condition will occur if there is insufficient diffusion taking place in the lungs? - Answers Hypoxemia
What are the early symptoms of hypoxemia? - Answers Tachypnea, tachycardia, restlessness, pale skin
and mucous membranes, hypertension, respiratory distress
What are the late symptoms of hypoxemia? - Answers Confusion, stupor, cyanotic skin and mucous
membranes, bradypnea, bradycardia, hypotension, cardiac dysrhythmias
What is perfusion? - Answers The exchange of O2 and CO2 between RBCs and cells/tissues
What condition occurs when there is a lack of perfusion? - Answers Hypoxia
What are the early symptoms of hypoxia? - Answers RAT (restlessness, anxiety/agitation,
tachycardia/tachypnea), diaphoresis, dyspnea on exertion, hypertension, arrhythmias, decreased urine
output, unexplained fatigue
What are the late symptoms of hypoxia? - Answers BED (Bradycardia, extreme restlessness, dyspnea
(severe), cyanosis, cool, clammy skin, use of accessory muscles, retractions, hypotension, arrhythmias
What are the symptoms of hypoxia in pediatrics? (FINES) - Answers Feeding difficulty
Inspiratory stridor
Nasal flaring
Expiratory grunting
Sternal retractions
Can hypoxia occur without hypoxemia happening first? - Answers No
, What is included in the respiratory assessment? - Answers Observe rate, rhythm (regular/irregular) and
depth (normal/deep/shallow) of chest wall movement during inspiration and expiration
Regular rate: count for 30 seconds
Irregular rate: count for one full minute
Depth: what is tidal volume? What is being observed? What can affect depth? - Answers Tidal volume is
the amount of air that moves in and out of the lungs with each breath
Observe expansion of the chest for symmetry during inspiration and expiration
Pain: respirations become shallow
Exercise: respirations become deep
What are Cheyne-Stokes respirations? List examples. - Answers Breathing cycles that increase in rate
and depth then decrease into a period of apnea (i.e. dying patient, HF or ICP)
What is apnea? - Answers Absence of breathing
What is Kussmaul's breathing? - Answers Deep and gasping respirations (i.e. shock, septic, renal failure)
Where on the body can a pulse oximeter be placed for oxygen saturation assessment? - Answers
Fingers, toes, earlobes and bridge of nose (most common sites)
**Be sure patient has no nail polish on or artificial nails
What is the normal O2 saturation levels? For COPD patient? - Answers 95-100%, low 90's expected for
COPD patient
What are some expected respiratory changes in the older adult? - Answers 1. Decreased cilia; decreases
their ability to remove secretions
2. Increased risk of aspiration
3. Decreased elasticity of lungs
What should be noted in general survey portion of respiratory assessment? - Answers Respiratory rate,
effort and depth
LOC
Color
Muscle use
Patient's position
