Thorax and Lungs EXAM 2025
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Which of these statements is true regarding the vertebra prominens? The vertebra prominens
is:
a. The spinous process of C7.
b. Usually nonpalpable in most individuals.
c. Opposite the interior border of the scapula.
d. Located next to the manubrium of the sternum. - ANS a. The spinous process of C7.
When performing a respiratory assessment on a patient, the nurse notices a costal angle of
approximately 90 degrees. This characteristic is:
a. Observed in patients with kyphosis.
b. Indicative of pectus excavatum.
c. A normal finding in a healthy adult.
d. An expected finding in a patient with a barrel chest. - ANS c. A normal finding in a healthy
adult.
When assessing a patient's lungs, the nurse recalls that the left lung:
a. Consists of two lobes.
b. Is divided by the horizontal fissure.
c. Primarily consists of an upper lobe on the posterior chest.
d. Is shorter than the right lung because of the underlying stomach. - ANS a. Consists of two
lobes.
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, Which statement about the apices of the lungs is true? The apices of the lungs:
a. Are at the level of the second rib anteriorly.
b. Extend 3 to 4 cm above the inner third of the clavicles.
c. Are located at the sixth rib anteriorly and the eighth rib laterally.
d. Rest on the diaphragm at the fifth intercostal space in the midclavicular line (MCL). -
ANS b. Extend 3 to 4 cm above the inner third of the clavicles.
During an examination of the anterior thorax, the nurse is aware that the trachea bifurcates
anteriorly at the:
a. Costal angle.
b. Sternal angle.
c. Xiphoid process.
d. Suprasternal notch. - ANS b. Sternal angle.
During an assessment, the nurse knows that expected assessment findings in the normal adult
lung include the presence of:
a. Adventitious sounds and limited chest expansion.
b. Increased tactile fremitus and dull percussion tones.
c. Muffled voice sounds and symmetric tactile fremitus.
d. Absent voice sounds and hyperresonant percussion tones. - ANS c. Muffled voice sounds
and symmetric tactile fremitus.
The primary muscles of respiration include the:
a. Diaphragm and intercostals.
b. Sternomastoids and scaleni.
c. Trapezii and rectus abdominis.
d. External obliques and pectoralis major. - ANS a. Diaphragm and intercostals.
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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Which of these statements is true regarding the vertebra prominens? The vertebra prominens
is:
a. The spinous process of C7.
b. Usually nonpalpable in most individuals.
c. Opposite the interior border of the scapula.
d. Located next to the manubrium of the sternum. - ANS a. The spinous process of C7.
When performing a respiratory assessment on a patient, the nurse notices a costal angle of
approximately 90 degrees. This characteristic is:
a. Observed in patients with kyphosis.
b. Indicative of pectus excavatum.
c. A normal finding in a healthy adult.
d. An expected finding in a patient with a barrel chest. - ANS c. A normal finding in a healthy
adult.
When assessing a patient's lungs, the nurse recalls that the left lung:
a. Consists of two lobes.
b. Is divided by the horizontal fissure.
c. Primarily consists of an upper lobe on the posterior chest.
d. Is shorter than the right lung because of the underlying stomach. - ANS a. Consists of two
lobes.
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Page
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, Which statement about the apices of the lungs is true? The apices of the lungs:
a. Are at the level of the second rib anteriorly.
b. Extend 3 to 4 cm above the inner third of the clavicles.
c. Are located at the sixth rib anteriorly and the eighth rib laterally.
d. Rest on the diaphragm at the fifth intercostal space in the midclavicular line (MCL). -
ANS b. Extend 3 to 4 cm above the inner third of the clavicles.
During an examination of the anterior thorax, the nurse is aware that the trachea bifurcates
anteriorly at the:
a. Costal angle.
b. Sternal angle.
c. Xiphoid process.
d. Suprasternal notch. - ANS b. Sternal angle.
During an assessment, the nurse knows that expected assessment findings in the normal adult
lung include the presence of:
a. Adventitious sounds and limited chest expansion.
b. Increased tactile fremitus and dull percussion tones.
c. Muffled voice sounds and symmetric tactile fremitus.
d. Absent voice sounds and hyperresonant percussion tones. - ANS c. Muffled voice sounds
and symmetric tactile fremitus.
The primary muscles of respiration include the:
a. Diaphragm and intercostals.
b. Sternomastoids and scaleni.
c. Trapezii and rectus abdominis.
d. External obliques and pectoralis major. - ANS a. Diaphragm and intercostals.
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