1
ATI Respiratory Disorders and Health
Assessment Exam| Finals 2025|
Questions and Answer Marksheet|
Approved
A nurse is assessing a client with COPD who is using pursed-lip breathing. What’s the purpose
of this technique?
It helps keep the airways open longer during exhalation, so trapped air can get out. Makes
breathing easier and slows down the respiratory rate.
A client with asthma is having an acute attack. The nurse hears high-pitched wheezing on
auscultation. What does this sound mean?
That wheezing means narrowed airways—there’s inflammation or bronchospasm going on.
It's typical in asthma attacks.
After administering a bronchodilator via inhaler, what should the nurse assess to know it’s
working?
Listen for improved breath sounds, check oxygen saturation, and see if the client says it’s
easier to breathe. Less wheezing is a good sign.
Why is it important to sit a patient upright during a respiratory assessment?
Sitting up helps lung expansion so you can hear breath sounds more clearly. Lying down can
mess with how sounds travel.
, 2
A nurse is caring for a client post-thoracentesis. What complication should the nurse check for
right away?
Pneumothorax—so watch for sudden shortness of breath, uneven chest movement, or
decreased breath sounds on one side.
A patient with pneumonia has coarse crackles in the lower lobes. What do these sounds indicate?
There’s fluid or secretions in the alveoli—it’s classic for pneumonia, especially in the lower
lungs.
A client on high-flow oxygen via a non-rebreather mask starts to become confused. What should
the nurse consider first?
Oxygen toxicity or CO2 retention, especially if they have COPD. Confusion can be an early
sign—recheck ABGs or reduce O2 if needed.
A nurse notes a patient’s SpO2 is 88% on room air. What should be done first?
Give supplemental oxygen and reassess. That level’s too low—normal should be at least
95%, unless it’s a COPD patient.
Why would a nurse use tactile fremitus during a respiratory assessment?
To feel for vibrations when the patient speaks. It helps detect stuff like consolidation
(stronger vibrations) or pleural effusion (weaker ones).
, 3
A nurse hears absent breath sounds on the left side after a central line insertion. What’s the likely
cause?
Probably a pneumothorax from the line puncturing the lung. Needs immediate attention—
might need a chest x-ray and chest tube.
How would you know if a metered-dose inhaler (MDI) is being used correctly by a patient?
They should shake it, exhale, press the inhaler while breathing in slowly, hold their breath for
10 seconds, then exhale. Spacers help too.
A client is using incentive spirometry post-op. What’s the goal of this intervention?
Helps expand the lungs and prevent atelectasis by encouraging deep breaths. Important after
surgery to keep lungs open.
Why is it risky to give too much oxygen to a COPD patient?
Their breathing drive is based on low oxygen—not high CO2—so too much O2 can make
them stop breathing as effectively.
A nurse finds a patient with a high respiratory rate and low oxygen saturation. What’s the priority
action?
Give oxygen first, then assess breath sounds and notify the provider. Fix the low O2 before
anything else.
ATI Respiratory Disorders and Health
Assessment Exam| Finals 2025|
Questions and Answer Marksheet|
Approved
A nurse is assessing a client with COPD who is using pursed-lip breathing. What’s the purpose
of this technique?
It helps keep the airways open longer during exhalation, so trapped air can get out. Makes
breathing easier and slows down the respiratory rate.
A client with asthma is having an acute attack. The nurse hears high-pitched wheezing on
auscultation. What does this sound mean?
That wheezing means narrowed airways—there’s inflammation or bronchospasm going on.
It's typical in asthma attacks.
After administering a bronchodilator via inhaler, what should the nurse assess to know it’s
working?
Listen for improved breath sounds, check oxygen saturation, and see if the client says it’s
easier to breathe. Less wheezing is a good sign.
Why is it important to sit a patient upright during a respiratory assessment?
Sitting up helps lung expansion so you can hear breath sounds more clearly. Lying down can
mess with how sounds travel.
, 2
A nurse is caring for a client post-thoracentesis. What complication should the nurse check for
right away?
Pneumothorax—so watch for sudden shortness of breath, uneven chest movement, or
decreased breath sounds on one side.
A patient with pneumonia has coarse crackles in the lower lobes. What do these sounds indicate?
There’s fluid or secretions in the alveoli—it’s classic for pneumonia, especially in the lower
lungs.
A client on high-flow oxygen via a non-rebreather mask starts to become confused. What should
the nurse consider first?
Oxygen toxicity or CO2 retention, especially if they have COPD. Confusion can be an early
sign—recheck ABGs or reduce O2 if needed.
A nurse notes a patient’s SpO2 is 88% on room air. What should be done first?
Give supplemental oxygen and reassess. That level’s too low—normal should be at least
95%, unless it’s a COPD patient.
Why would a nurse use tactile fremitus during a respiratory assessment?
To feel for vibrations when the patient speaks. It helps detect stuff like consolidation
(stronger vibrations) or pleural effusion (weaker ones).
, 3
A nurse hears absent breath sounds on the left side after a central line insertion. What’s the likely
cause?
Probably a pneumothorax from the line puncturing the lung. Needs immediate attention—
might need a chest x-ray and chest tube.
How would you know if a metered-dose inhaler (MDI) is being used correctly by a patient?
They should shake it, exhale, press the inhaler while breathing in slowly, hold their breath for
10 seconds, then exhale. Spacers help too.
A client is using incentive spirometry post-op. What’s the goal of this intervention?
Helps expand the lungs and prevent atelectasis by encouraging deep breaths. Important after
surgery to keep lungs open.
Why is it risky to give too much oxygen to a COPD patient?
Their breathing drive is based on low oxygen—not high CO2—so too much O2 can make
them stop breathing as effectively.
A nurse finds a patient with a high respiratory rate and low oxygen saturation. What’s the priority
action?
Give oxygen first, then assess breath sounds and notify the provider. Fix the low O2 before
anything else.
