ATI: Case Study Oxygenation Questions
and Answers | Latest Version | 2025/2026
| Correct & Verified
A 72-year-old client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is experiencing
increased shortness of breath. The nurse notes the patient’s oxygen saturation is 88%. What is
the first action the nurse should take?
✔✔Administer oxygen as prescribed and reassess oxygen saturation levels after 15 minutes.
A 56-year-old male patient with a history of asthma presents to the emergency department with
wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness. The nurse administers a bronchodilator and
checks the oxygen saturation, which remains at 90%. What is the priority intervention at this
time?
✔✔Increase oxygen flow rate via nasal cannula or consider a face mask to ensure adequate
oxygenation.
A 65-year-old client with heart failure and pulmonary edema is receiving oxygen therapy via a
non-rebreather mask. The nurse notes that the reservoir bag collapses completely with each
breath. What action should the nurse take?
✔✔Increase the oxygen flow rate to ensure the reservoir bag remains inflated.
1
, A 45-year-old female who recently underwent abdominal surgery is experiencing difficulty
breathing and an oxygen saturation of 89%. The nurse suspects atelectasis. What is the most
effective intervention to improve her oxygenation?
✔✔Encourage the patient to use an incentive spirometer and perform deep breathing exercises.
A 40-year-old male client with a history of pneumonia is admitted to the hospital. He is receiving
oxygen therapy via nasal cannula at 4 L/min, but his oxygen saturation remains at 91%. What
should the nurse do next?
✔✔Assess the patient for signs of hypoxia and notify the provider if there is no improvement
with current oxygen therapy.
A 68-year-old patient with COPD is receiving oxygen therapy at 2 L/min via nasal cannula. The
nurse observes the patient is drowsy, and the oxygen saturation is 88%. What is the most
important consideration for this patient’s care?
✔✔Decrease the oxygen flow rate gradually to prevent carbon dioxide retention and reassess
oxygen saturation levels.
A 50-year-old female with a history of asthma is admitted with an exacerbation. She is receiving
oxygen via a Venturi mask at 40%. The nurse assesses her oxygen saturation to be 92%. What
action should the nurse take next?
2
and Answers | Latest Version | 2025/2026
| Correct & Verified
A 72-year-old client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is experiencing
increased shortness of breath. The nurse notes the patient’s oxygen saturation is 88%. What is
the first action the nurse should take?
✔✔Administer oxygen as prescribed and reassess oxygen saturation levels after 15 minutes.
A 56-year-old male patient with a history of asthma presents to the emergency department with
wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness. The nurse administers a bronchodilator and
checks the oxygen saturation, which remains at 90%. What is the priority intervention at this
time?
✔✔Increase oxygen flow rate via nasal cannula or consider a face mask to ensure adequate
oxygenation.
A 65-year-old client with heart failure and pulmonary edema is receiving oxygen therapy via a
non-rebreather mask. The nurse notes that the reservoir bag collapses completely with each
breath. What action should the nurse take?
✔✔Increase the oxygen flow rate to ensure the reservoir bag remains inflated.
1
, A 45-year-old female who recently underwent abdominal surgery is experiencing difficulty
breathing and an oxygen saturation of 89%. The nurse suspects atelectasis. What is the most
effective intervention to improve her oxygenation?
✔✔Encourage the patient to use an incentive spirometer and perform deep breathing exercises.
A 40-year-old male client with a history of pneumonia is admitted to the hospital. He is receiving
oxygen therapy via nasal cannula at 4 L/min, but his oxygen saturation remains at 91%. What
should the nurse do next?
✔✔Assess the patient for signs of hypoxia and notify the provider if there is no improvement
with current oxygen therapy.
A 68-year-old patient with COPD is receiving oxygen therapy at 2 L/min via nasal cannula. The
nurse observes the patient is drowsy, and the oxygen saturation is 88%. What is the most
important consideration for this patient’s care?
✔✔Decrease the oxygen flow rate gradually to prevent carbon dioxide retention and reassess
oxygen saturation levels.
A 50-year-old female with a history of asthma is admitted with an exacerbation. She is receiving
oxygen via a Venturi mask at 40%. The nurse assesses her oxygen saturation to be 92%. What
action should the nurse take next?
2
