MECHANICAL VENTILATION (NCLEX)
EXAM 2025 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
The peak pressure alarm is sounding on the ventilator of the client with a recent tracheostomy.
What intervention should be done first?
A. Assess the client's respiratory status
B. Decrease the sensitivity of the alarm
C. Ensure that the connecting tubing is not kinked
D. Suction the client - ANS A
The client must always be assessed before attention is turned to equipment.
The client with respiratory failure has been intubated and placed on a ventilator and is
requiring 100% oxygen delivery to maintain adequate oxygenation. Twenty-four hours later, the
nurse notes new-onset crackles and decreased breath sounds, and the most recent ABGs show
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,a PaO2 level of 95 mm Hg. The ventilator is not set to provide positive end-expiratory pressure
(PEEP). Why is the nurse concerned?
A. The low PaO2 level may result in oxygen toxicity
B. The 100% oxygen delivery requirement indicates immediate extubation
C. Lung sounds may indicate absorption atelectasis
D. The level of oxygen delivery may indicate absorption atelectasis - ANS C
High levels of oxygen delivery can result in collapsed alveoli and absorption atelectasis. PEEP
can help alveoli remain properly inflated.
The medical nurse is creating the care plan of an adult patient requiring mechanical ventilation.
What nursing action is most appropriate?
A) Keep the patient in a low Fowlers position.
B) Perform tracheostomy care at least once per day.
C) Maintain continuous bedrest.
D) Monitor cuff pressure every 8 hours. - ANS D
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,The acute medical nurse is preparing to wean a patient from the ventilator. Which assessment
parameter is most important for the nurse to assess?
A) Fluid intake for the last 24 hours
B) Baseline arterial blood gas (ABG) levels
C) Prior outcomes of weaning
D) Electrocardiogram (ECG) results - ANS B
A patient recovering from thoracic surgery is on long-term mechanical ventilation and becomes
very frustrated when he tries to communicate. What intervention should the nurse perform to
assist the patient?
A) Assure the patient that everything will be all right and that remaining calm is the best
strategy.
B) Ask a family member to interpret what the patient is trying to communicate.
C) Ask the physician to wean the patient off the mechanical ventilator to allow the patient to
speak freely.
D) Express empathy and then encourage the patient to write, use a picture board, or spell
words with an alphabet board. - ANS D
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, The physician has ordered continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) with the delivery of a
patients high-flow oxygen therapy. The patient asks the nurse what the benefit of CPAP is.
What would be the nurses best response?
A) CPAP allows a higher percentage of oxygen to be safely used.
B) CPAP allows a lower percentage of oxygen to be used with a similar effect.
C) CPAP allows for greater humidification of the oxygen that is administered.
D) CPAP allows for the elimination of bacterial growth in oxygen delivery systems. - ANS B
The nurse is caring for a patient who is ready to be weaned from the ventilator. In preparing to
assist in the collaborative process of weaning the patient from a ventilator, the nurse is aware
that the weaning of the patient will progress in what order?
A) Removal from the ventilator, tube, and then oxygen
B) Removal from oxygen, ventilator, and then tube
C) Removal of the tube, oxygen, and then ventilator
D) Removal from oxygen, tube, and then ventilator - ANS A
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EXAM 2025 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
The peak pressure alarm is sounding on the ventilator of the client with a recent tracheostomy.
What intervention should be done first?
A. Assess the client's respiratory status
B. Decrease the sensitivity of the alarm
C. Ensure that the connecting tubing is not kinked
D. Suction the client - ANS A
The client must always be assessed before attention is turned to equipment.
The client with respiratory failure has been intubated and placed on a ventilator and is
requiring 100% oxygen delivery to maintain adequate oxygenation. Twenty-four hours later, the
nurse notes new-onset crackles and decreased breath sounds, and the most recent ABGs show
Copyright ©2025 BRIGHTSTARS ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 1
,a PaO2 level of 95 mm Hg. The ventilator is not set to provide positive end-expiratory pressure
(PEEP). Why is the nurse concerned?
A. The low PaO2 level may result in oxygen toxicity
B. The 100% oxygen delivery requirement indicates immediate extubation
C. Lung sounds may indicate absorption atelectasis
D. The level of oxygen delivery may indicate absorption atelectasis - ANS C
High levels of oxygen delivery can result in collapsed alveoli and absorption atelectasis. PEEP
can help alveoli remain properly inflated.
The medical nurse is creating the care plan of an adult patient requiring mechanical ventilation.
What nursing action is most appropriate?
A) Keep the patient in a low Fowlers position.
B) Perform tracheostomy care at least once per day.
C) Maintain continuous bedrest.
D) Monitor cuff pressure every 8 hours. - ANS D
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,The acute medical nurse is preparing to wean a patient from the ventilator. Which assessment
parameter is most important for the nurse to assess?
A) Fluid intake for the last 24 hours
B) Baseline arterial blood gas (ABG) levels
C) Prior outcomes of weaning
D) Electrocardiogram (ECG) results - ANS B
A patient recovering from thoracic surgery is on long-term mechanical ventilation and becomes
very frustrated when he tries to communicate. What intervention should the nurse perform to
assist the patient?
A) Assure the patient that everything will be all right and that remaining calm is the best
strategy.
B) Ask a family member to interpret what the patient is trying to communicate.
C) Ask the physician to wean the patient off the mechanical ventilator to allow the patient to
speak freely.
D) Express empathy and then encourage the patient to write, use a picture board, or spell
words with an alphabet board. - ANS D
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, The physician has ordered continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) with the delivery of a
patients high-flow oxygen therapy. The patient asks the nurse what the benefit of CPAP is.
What would be the nurses best response?
A) CPAP allows a higher percentage of oxygen to be safely used.
B) CPAP allows a lower percentage of oxygen to be used with a similar effect.
C) CPAP allows for greater humidification of the oxygen that is administered.
D) CPAP allows for the elimination of bacterial growth in oxygen delivery systems. - ANS B
The nurse is caring for a patient who is ready to be weaned from the ventilator. In preparing to
assist in the collaborative process of weaning the patient from a ventilator, the nurse is aware
that the weaning of the patient will progress in what order?
A) Removal from the ventilator, tube, and then oxygen
B) Removal from oxygen, ventilator, and then tube
C) Removal of the tube, oxygen, and then ventilator
D) Removal from oxygen, tube, and then ventilator - ANS A
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