ATI Engage Fundamentals: RN Gas
Exchange and Oxygenation Assessment
2.0 Questions and Answers | Latest
Version | 2025/2026 | Correct & Verified
A nurse is assessing a client with a history of COPD. What is the most common assessment
finding related to impaired gas exchange in this client?
✔✔Increased respiratory rate and use of accessory muscles
What is a priority nursing action for a client with oxygen saturation of 88%?
✔✔Administer supplemental oxygen and notify the healthcare provider
In a patient with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), what is a primary concern for
oxygenation?
✔✔Impaired gas exchange due to noncompliant alveoli
What is the primary purpose of administering oxygen to a client with chronic hypoxia?
✔✔To improve oxygen delivery to tissues and decrease the workload of the heart
1
,What can cause a decrease in oxygen saturation in a client with asthma?
✔✔Bronchoconstriction and increased airway resistance
What is an expected finding in a client experiencing hypoxia?
✔✔Restlessness, confusion, and tachypnea
What assessment finding is characteristic of a client with pulmonary edema affecting gas
exchange?
✔✔Crackles in the lungs and shortness of breath
When monitoring a client on oxygen therapy, what should the nurse be concerned about?
✔✔Signs of oxygen toxicity, such as a dry cough or substernal chest pain
What is a key intervention to prevent atelectasis in a postoperative client with impaired
oxygenation?
✔✔Encourage deep breathing and the use of an incentive spirometer
2
, Why is it important for the nurse to monitor for a shift in the oxygen-hemoglobin dissociation
curve?
✔✔To assess for changes in oxygen delivery to tissues under conditions like acidosis or
hypothermia
What does a low PaO₂ indicate in a patient’s arterial blood gas (ABG) results?
✔✔Impaired oxygenation and poor gas exchange
A nurse is teaching a client with emphysema how to use a pulse oximeter. What should the nurse
explain?
✔✔The pulse oximeter measures oxygen saturation in the blood and can help monitor oxygen
therapy effectiveness
Why should a nurse monitor for signs of carbon dioxide retention in a client with COPD?
✔✔It can lead to respiratory acidosis and worsen gas exchange
What clinical finding suggests a need for increased oxygen in a patient with pneumonia?
✔✔Decreased oxygen saturation and increased work of breathing
3
Exchange and Oxygenation Assessment
2.0 Questions and Answers | Latest
Version | 2025/2026 | Correct & Verified
A nurse is assessing a client with a history of COPD. What is the most common assessment
finding related to impaired gas exchange in this client?
✔✔Increased respiratory rate and use of accessory muscles
What is a priority nursing action for a client with oxygen saturation of 88%?
✔✔Administer supplemental oxygen and notify the healthcare provider
In a patient with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), what is a primary concern for
oxygenation?
✔✔Impaired gas exchange due to noncompliant alveoli
What is the primary purpose of administering oxygen to a client with chronic hypoxia?
✔✔To improve oxygen delivery to tissues and decrease the workload of the heart
1
,What can cause a decrease in oxygen saturation in a client with asthma?
✔✔Bronchoconstriction and increased airway resistance
What is an expected finding in a client experiencing hypoxia?
✔✔Restlessness, confusion, and tachypnea
What assessment finding is characteristic of a client with pulmonary edema affecting gas
exchange?
✔✔Crackles in the lungs and shortness of breath
When monitoring a client on oxygen therapy, what should the nurse be concerned about?
✔✔Signs of oxygen toxicity, such as a dry cough or substernal chest pain
What is a key intervention to prevent atelectasis in a postoperative client with impaired
oxygenation?
✔✔Encourage deep breathing and the use of an incentive spirometer
2
, Why is it important for the nurse to monitor for a shift in the oxygen-hemoglobin dissociation
curve?
✔✔To assess for changes in oxygen delivery to tissues under conditions like acidosis or
hypothermia
What does a low PaO₂ indicate in a patient’s arterial blood gas (ABG) results?
✔✔Impaired oxygenation and poor gas exchange
A nurse is teaching a client with emphysema how to use a pulse oximeter. What should the nurse
explain?
✔✔The pulse oximeter measures oxygen saturation in the blood and can help monitor oxygen
therapy effectiveness
Why should a nurse monitor for signs of carbon dioxide retention in a client with COPD?
✔✔It can lead to respiratory acidosis and worsen gas exchange
What clinical finding suggests a need for increased oxygen in a patient with pneumonia?
✔✔Decreased oxygen saturation and increased work of breathing
3
