1
TEAS 7 Respiratory System| Final
Review 2024/2025| Multiple PAST Exam
Questions and Answers| Approved 100%
A patient has crackles in their lungs and is short of breath. What complication could this point to,
and what should you do?
Could be pulmonary edema, especially if they’ve got a history of heart issues. You’d raise
the head of the bed, give O2 if ordered, and report it fast—this isn’t something to wait on.
You walk in and your post-op patient has a low SpO2 and is super drowsy. What could be going
on?
Sounds like hypoventilation, maybe from pain meds. First step: get them sitting up, check
their airway, and notify the RN or provider. Might need less meds or some oxygen.
A patient is using accessory muscles to breathe. What’s that a sign of?
They’re working too hard to breathe—maybe in respiratory distress. Could be asthma,
COPD, or an airway blockage. Raise the HOB and stay with them.
What’s the first thing to check if your patient suddenly becomes restless and anxious while on
oxygen?
Think hypoxia first. Check their O2 sat and make sure the oxygen is actually on and working
right. Don’t assume—it could be something simple like tubing disconnected.
, 2
Your COPD patient is drowsy and their O2 sat is dropping even though they’re on high-flow
oxygen. What’s wrong?
Too much O2 can actually make CO2 go up in COPD patients. They rely on low O2 to
trigger breathing. Lower the O2 (as ordered) and call the provider.
A patient with pneumonia is on antibiotics but still has a fever and crackles. What should you
do?
Could be that the infection’s not clearing or it’s worsening. Keep up the supportive care,
encourage coughing/deep breathing, and report it—may need stronger meds.
A post-op patient hasn’t been coughing or deep breathing. Now they’re spiking a temp and
breathing fast. What might be happening?
Atelectasis—lungs aren’t fully inflating. It can lead to pneumonia. Encourage incentive
spirometry, position them upright, and notify the nurse.
You hear wheezing in a patient complaining of chest tightness. What’s your next move?
That’s bronchoconstriction—maybe asthma or allergic reaction. Check for a rescue inhaler
order or alert the RN. Don’t just chart it and walk away.
A trach patient starts coughing up blood. What do you do?
Suction if needed but get help right away. Could be trach erosion or trauma. Stay calm and
keep their airway clear.
, 3
A patient suddenly becomes cyanotic after eating. What’s happening and what should you do?
Might be choking or aspiration. Do a quick airway check, maybe Heimlich if needed, or
suction if they aspirated. Call for help fast.
Why do we keep patients NPO before bronchoscopy?
To prevent aspiration since they’ll be sedated and won’t have a gag reflex. If they eat before,
there’s a real choking risk.
What’s a priority for a patient after thoracentesis?
Watch for signs of a collapsed lung—like sudden SOB or low O2. Listen for breath sounds
and report any changes fast.
Your patient has a chest tube and you notice no drainage and no bubbling in the suction chamber.
What’s going on?
Could be a blockage or the tube’s dislodged. Check connections and call the RN—it’s not
supposed to just stop like that.
A patient with tuberculosis is in an airborne isolation room. What PPE do you need?
N95 mask minimum. Gown and gloves too if doing direct care. No surgical masks—they
won’t protect you from TB.
TEAS 7 Respiratory System| Final
Review 2024/2025| Multiple PAST Exam
Questions and Answers| Approved 100%
A patient has crackles in their lungs and is short of breath. What complication could this point to,
and what should you do?
Could be pulmonary edema, especially if they’ve got a history of heart issues. You’d raise
the head of the bed, give O2 if ordered, and report it fast—this isn’t something to wait on.
You walk in and your post-op patient has a low SpO2 and is super drowsy. What could be going
on?
Sounds like hypoventilation, maybe from pain meds. First step: get them sitting up, check
their airway, and notify the RN or provider. Might need less meds or some oxygen.
A patient is using accessory muscles to breathe. What’s that a sign of?
They’re working too hard to breathe—maybe in respiratory distress. Could be asthma,
COPD, or an airway blockage. Raise the HOB and stay with them.
What’s the first thing to check if your patient suddenly becomes restless and anxious while on
oxygen?
Think hypoxia first. Check their O2 sat and make sure the oxygen is actually on and working
right. Don’t assume—it could be something simple like tubing disconnected.
, 2
Your COPD patient is drowsy and their O2 sat is dropping even though they’re on high-flow
oxygen. What’s wrong?
Too much O2 can actually make CO2 go up in COPD patients. They rely on low O2 to
trigger breathing. Lower the O2 (as ordered) and call the provider.
A patient with pneumonia is on antibiotics but still has a fever and crackles. What should you
do?
Could be that the infection’s not clearing or it’s worsening. Keep up the supportive care,
encourage coughing/deep breathing, and report it—may need stronger meds.
A post-op patient hasn’t been coughing or deep breathing. Now they’re spiking a temp and
breathing fast. What might be happening?
Atelectasis—lungs aren’t fully inflating. It can lead to pneumonia. Encourage incentive
spirometry, position them upright, and notify the nurse.
You hear wheezing in a patient complaining of chest tightness. What’s your next move?
That’s bronchoconstriction—maybe asthma or allergic reaction. Check for a rescue inhaler
order or alert the RN. Don’t just chart it and walk away.
A trach patient starts coughing up blood. What do you do?
Suction if needed but get help right away. Could be trach erosion or trauma. Stay calm and
keep their airway clear.
, 3
A patient suddenly becomes cyanotic after eating. What’s happening and what should you do?
Might be choking or aspiration. Do a quick airway check, maybe Heimlich if needed, or
suction if they aspirated. Call for help fast.
Why do we keep patients NPO before bronchoscopy?
To prevent aspiration since they’ll be sedated and won’t have a gag reflex. If they eat before,
there’s a real choking risk.
What’s a priority for a patient after thoracentesis?
Watch for signs of a collapsed lung—like sudden SOB or low O2. Listen for breath sounds
and report any changes fast.
Your patient has a chest tube and you notice no drainage and no bubbling in the suction chamber.
What’s going on?
Could be a blockage or the tube’s dislodged. Check connections and call the RN—it’s not
supposed to just stop like that.
A patient with tuberculosis is in an airborne isolation room. What PPE do you need?
N95 mask minimum. Gown and gloves too if doing direct care. No surgical masks—they
won’t protect you from TB.
