NSG 5140- RESPIRATORY
DISORDERS/ASSESSMENT EXAM WITH
CORRECT QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
2025
Acute Respiratory Failure - CORRECT-ANSWERS-gas exchange is inadequate (insufficient
amount of O2 for transfer and/or insufficient removal of CO2).
- condition not disease
- can be due to pneumonia or COPD
- hypoxemic or hypercapnic
Hypoxemia - CORRECT-ANSWERS- low levels of oxygen within the blood (O2 under 90%)
- PaCO2 over 60 mmHg
- often due to pneumonia. pulmonary emboli, smoke inhalation, or heart failure
hypercapnia - CORRECT-ANSWERS- an excessive amount of CO2 in the blood
- measured by pulse oximeter and arterial blood gasses
- PaCO2 under 45 mmHg
- lead to an acid-base imbalance
- causes: trauma (rib fracture), CNS depressant meds, neuromuscular diseases
Causes of Hypoxemia - CORRECT-ANSWERS1. Ventilation: not enough air entering the
lungs. Insufficient blood supply. (Asthma, COPD)
2. Shunting: Blood did not go to the lungs for gas exchange. This can be due to atrial or
ventricular septal defects.
, 3. Diffusion limitation: decrease om gas exchange due to capillary membrane being thickened or
destroyed.
4. Alveolar hypoventilation: decrease in ventilation causing an increase in CO2 levels due to
restrictive lung disease, chest wall dysfunction, or neuromuscular disease.
Respiratory failure: airways and alveoli - CORRECT-ANSWERS- fluid enters the lungs and
interferes with gas exchange.
- bronchospasms reduce airflow
- alveoli destroyed
- viscous secretions blocking gas exhange
Respiratory failure: CNS - CORRECT-ANSWERS- opioids or CNS depressant meds
- brainstem injury
Respiratory failure: chest wall - CORRECT-ANSWERS- soft tissue injury
- kyphoscoliosis
- obesity
Respiratory failure: neuromuscular conditions - CORRECT-ANSWERS- spinal cord injuries
- phrenic nerve injury
- muscle weakness/paralysis
- muscular dystrophy
Early sign of respiratory failure - CORRECT-ANSWERS- change in pt. mental status
S/S respiratory failure - CORRECT-ANSWERS-Early: SOB, change in mental status,
tachycardia, hypertension, cool clammy skin, tachypnea, SpO2 under 90%
- Late: decreased LOC, acidosis, hypotension, bradycardia, weak pulses, hypoxia
DISORDERS/ASSESSMENT EXAM WITH
CORRECT QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
2025
Acute Respiratory Failure - CORRECT-ANSWERS-gas exchange is inadequate (insufficient
amount of O2 for transfer and/or insufficient removal of CO2).
- condition not disease
- can be due to pneumonia or COPD
- hypoxemic or hypercapnic
Hypoxemia - CORRECT-ANSWERS- low levels of oxygen within the blood (O2 under 90%)
- PaCO2 over 60 mmHg
- often due to pneumonia. pulmonary emboli, smoke inhalation, or heart failure
hypercapnia - CORRECT-ANSWERS- an excessive amount of CO2 in the blood
- measured by pulse oximeter and arterial blood gasses
- PaCO2 under 45 mmHg
- lead to an acid-base imbalance
- causes: trauma (rib fracture), CNS depressant meds, neuromuscular diseases
Causes of Hypoxemia - CORRECT-ANSWERS1. Ventilation: not enough air entering the
lungs. Insufficient blood supply. (Asthma, COPD)
2. Shunting: Blood did not go to the lungs for gas exchange. This can be due to atrial or
ventricular septal defects.
, 3. Diffusion limitation: decrease om gas exchange due to capillary membrane being thickened or
destroyed.
4. Alveolar hypoventilation: decrease in ventilation causing an increase in CO2 levels due to
restrictive lung disease, chest wall dysfunction, or neuromuscular disease.
Respiratory failure: airways and alveoli - CORRECT-ANSWERS- fluid enters the lungs and
interferes with gas exchange.
- bronchospasms reduce airflow
- alveoli destroyed
- viscous secretions blocking gas exhange
Respiratory failure: CNS - CORRECT-ANSWERS- opioids or CNS depressant meds
- brainstem injury
Respiratory failure: chest wall - CORRECT-ANSWERS- soft tissue injury
- kyphoscoliosis
- obesity
Respiratory failure: neuromuscular conditions - CORRECT-ANSWERS- spinal cord injuries
- phrenic nerve injury
- muscle weakness/paralysis
- muscular dystrophy
Early sign of respiratory failure - CORRECT-ANSWERS- change in pt. mental status
S/S respiratory failure - CORRECT-ANSWERS-Early: SOB, change in mental status,
tachycardia, hypertension, cool clammy skin, tachypnea, SpO2 under 90%
- Late: decreased LOC, acidosis, hypotension, bradycardia, weak pulses, hypoxia
