Airway Management
Module 13 Exam
Questions & Answers
Which of the following would lead to an increase in oxygen demand?
A. Postural drainage.
B. Taking a narcotic.
C. A fever.
D. Sleep. - ANSWERSc Correct
Increased metabolic activity associated with a fever increases tissue oxygen demand. Postural
drainage is an intervention used to mobilize secretions and maintain an open airway.
What nursing intervention is appropriate for the patient with a large amount of sputum?
A. Perform nasotracheal suctioning every hour.
B. Place the patient on fluid restriction.
C. Encourage the patient to cough every hour while awake.
D. Avoid all milk products. - ANSWERSc Correct
A patient with a large amount of sputum should be encouraged to cough every hour while
awake. Adequate fluids should be maintained to help keep secretions thin and easier to
expectorate. Although milk has a protein structure similar to sputum, it does not increase
sputum production and plays an important role in nutrition. Suctioning should be performed on
an as-needed basis.
An elderly woman is hospitalized with pneumonia and anemia and has a history of heart failure.
She is weak and has a poor cough effort. Her current vital signs are temperature 100.2 °F (37.9
°C), pulse 114, respiration 26, blood pressure 106/58. She has oxygen ordered at 2 liters by
nasal cannula. Her oxygen saturation measures 88% when on room air, 93% with supplemental
oxygen. She develops shortness of breath on any activity and eats little because it is difficult for
,her to eat and breathe at the same time. Which of the following are risk factors for this patient
developing hypoxia? (Select all that apply.)
A. Increased secretions with weak cough.
B. Shortness of breath.
C. Pneumonia.
D. Impaired cardiac function.
E. Tachycardia.
F. Anemia. - ANSWERSa c d f
Hypoxia results when there is inadequate tissue oxygenation at the cellular level. Lowered
oxygen-carrying capacity from anemia can lead to hypoxia. A diminished concentration of
inspired oxygen, such as with an obstructed airway from secretions, results in lowered oxygen
saturation. Impaired cardiac function results in poor tissue perfusion with oxygenated blood.
With pneumonia there is decreased diffusion of oxygen from the alveoli to the blood, leading to
inadequate tissue oxygenation. An increase in pulse rate is an adaptive response to meet the
body's oxygen demand. Shortness of breath (dyspnea) is a symptom of decreased oxygenation.
Which of the following, if exhibited by the patient, is a late sign of hypoxia?
A. Anxiety.
B. Eupnea.
C. Cyanosis.
D. Restlessness. - ANSWERSc Correct
Restlessness and anxiety are early indicators of hypoxia. Cyanosis is a late indicator of hypoxia.
Eupnea is normal respiration.
You are reviewing the signs, symptoms, and prevention of hypoxia with the family of a patient
who requires frequent suctioning at home. Choose the information that you should cover.
(Select all that apply.)
A. Restlessness and anxiety are indications of hypoxia.
B. Increases in pulse, respiration, and blood pressure are indications of hypoxia.
, C. Confusion, disorientation, and altered consciousness are indications of hypoxia.
D. Bronchitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are indications of hypoxia.
E. Having difficulty breathing and looking blue are indications of hypoxia.
F. Infection and fever are indications of hypoxia. - ANSWERSa b c e
Indications of hypoxia include restlessness, anxiety, confusion, disorientation, and altered
consciousness as well as increases in pulse rate, respiration rate, and blood pressure. Feeling
out of breathe and looking blue also indicate hypoxia.
1. Which of the following patients would have the greatest potential for an alteration in
respiration?
A. A 32-year-old man with an earache.
B. A 15-year-old boy with a migraine headache.
C. A 19-year-old woman with diarrhea.
D. A 44-year-old woman with anemia. - ANSWERSd Correct
Hemoglobin carries about 97% of oxygen to the tissues. Anemia lowers the oxygen-carrying
capacity of the blood and potentially leads to hypoxia.
Which of the following patients should be assessed for a worsening clinical situation?
A. The patient who demonstrates less drooling after being suctioned.
B. The patient with absence of adventitious lung sounds on inspiration and expiration.
C. The patient with presence of blood in the secretions.
D. The chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patient whose pulse oximetry remains the
same after oropharyngeal suctioning. - ANSWERSc Correct
Bloody secretions are an unexpected outcome. The cause should be investigated. The removal
of secretions helps to improve the oxygen saturation level. In patients with chronic pulmonary
diseases such as COPD, the pulse oximetry value may remain the same. The absence of
adventitious sounds is an expected finding. An expected outcome of oropharyngeal suctioning is
lessened or absence of drooling.
Module 13 Exam
Questions & Answers
Which of the following would lead to an increase in oxygen demand?
A. Postural drainage.
B. Taking a narcotic.
C. A fever.
D. Sleep. - ANSWERSc Correct
Increased metabolic activity associated with a fever increases tissue oxygen demand. Postural
drainage is an intervention used to mobilize secretions and maintain an open airway.
What nursing intervention is appropriate for the patient with a large amount of sputum?
A. Perform nasotracheal suctioning every hour.
B. Place the patient on fluid restriction.
C. Encourage the patient to cough every hour while awake.
D. Avoid all milk products. - ANSWERSc Correct
A patient with a large amount of sputum should be encouraged to cough every hour while
awake. Adequate fluids should be maintained to help keep secretions thin and easier to
expectorate. Although milk has a protein structure similar to sputum, it does not increase
sputum production and plays an important role in nutrition. Suctioning should be performed on
an as-needed basis.
An elderly woman is hospitalized with pneumonia and anemia and has a history of heart failure.
She is weak and has a poor cough effort. Her current vital signs are temperature 100.2 °F (37.9
°C), pulse 114, respiration 26, blood pressure 106/58. She has oxygen ordered at 2 liters by
nasal cannula. Her oxygen saturation measures 88% when on room air, 93% with supplemental
oxygen. She develops shortness of breath on any activity and eats little because it is difficult for
,her to eat and breathe at the same time. Which of the following are risk factors for this patient
developing hypoxia? (Select all that apply.)
A. Increased secretions with weak cough.
B. Shortness of breath.
C. Pneumonia.
D. Impaired cardiac function.
E. Tachycardia.
F. Anemia. - ANSWERSa c d f
Hypoxia results when there is inadequate tissue oxygenation at the cellular level. Lowered
oxygen-carrying capacity from anemia can lead to hypoxia. A diminished concentration of
inspired oxygen, such as with an obstructed airway from secretions, results in lowered oxygen
saturation. Impaired cardiac function results in poor tissue perfusion with oxygenated blood.
With pneumonia there is decreased diffusion of oxygen from the alveoli to the blood, leading to
inadequate tissue oxygenation. An increase in pulse rate is an adaptive response to meet the
body's oxygen demand. Shortness of breath (dyspnea) is a symptom of decreased oxygenation.
Which of the following, if exhibited by the patient, is a late sign of hypoxia?
A. Anxiety.
B. Eupnea.
C. Cyanosis.
D. Restlessness. - ANSWERSc Correct
Restlessness and anxiety are early indicators of hypoxia. Cyanosis is a late indicator of hypoxia.
Eupnea is normal respiration.
You are reviewing the signs, symptoms, and prevention of hypoxia with the family of a patient
who requires frequent suctioning at home. Choose the information that you should cover.
(Select all that apply.)
A. Restlessness and anxiety are indications of hypoxia.
B. Increases in pulse, respiration, and blood pressure are indications of hypoxia.
, C. Confusion, disorientation, and altered consciousness are indications of hypoxia.
D. Bronchitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are indications of hypoxia.
E. Having difficulty breathing and looking blue are indications of hypoxia.
F. Infection and fever are indications of hypoxia. - ANSWERSa b c e
Indications of hypoxia include restlessness, anxiety, confusion, disorientation, and altered
consciousness as well as increases in pulse rate, respiration rate, and blood pressure. Feeling
out of breathe and looking blue also indicate hypoxia.
1. Which of the following patients would have the greatest potential for an alteration in
respiration?
A. A 32-year-old man with an earache.
B. A 15-year-old boy with a migraine headache.
C. A 19-year-old woman with diarrhea.
D. A 44-year-old woman with anemia. - ANSWERSd Correct
Hemoglobin carries about 97% of oxygen to the tissues. Anemia lowers the oxygen-carrying
capacity of the blood and potentially leads to hypoxia.
Which of the following patients should be assessed for a worsening clinical situation?
A. The patient who demonstrates less drooling after being suctioned.
B. The patient with absence of adventitious lung sounds on inspiration and expiration.
C. The patient with presence of blood in the secretions.
D. The chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patient whose pulse oximetry remains the
same after oropharyngeal suctioning. - ANSWERSc Correct
Bloody secretions are an unexpected outcome. The cause should be investigated. The removal
of secretions helps to improve the oxygen saturation level. In patients with chronic pulmonary
diseases such as COPD, the pulse oximetry value may remain the same. The absence of
adventitious sounds is an expected finding. An expected outcome of oropharyngeal suctioning is
lessened or absence of drooling.
