NSG 6001 FINAL PRACTICE
QUESTIONS & A+ GRADED
ANSWERS
1. A nurse is suctioning the nasopharyngeal airway of a patient to maintain a patent airway. For
which condition would the nurse anticipate the need for a nasal trumpet?
A. The patient vomits during suctioning.
B. The secretions appear to be stomach contents.
C. The catheter touches an unsterile surface.
D. Epistaxis is noted with continued suctioning. - correct answer ✔✔. d. When epistaxis is noted
with continued suctioning, the nurse should notify the physician and anticipate the need for a
nasal trumpet. The nasal trumpet will protect the nasal mucosa from further trauma related to
suctioning.
2. A nurse caring for a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) knows that
hypoxia may occur in patients with respiratory problems. What are signs of this serious
condition?
Select all answers that apply.
A. Dyspnea
B .Hypotension
C. Small pulse pressure
D. Decreased respiratory rate
E. Pallor
,F. Increased pulse rate - correct answer ✔✔1. a, c, e, f. If a problem exists in ventilation,
respiration, or perfusion, hypoxia may occur. Hypoxia is a condition in which an inadequate
amount of oxygen is available to cells. The most common symptoms of hypoxia are dyspnea
(difficulty breathing), an elevated blood pressure with a small pulse pressure, increased
respiratory and pulse rates, pallor, and cyanosis.
3. A nurse is inserting an oropharyngeal airway for a patient who vomits when it is inserted.
Which action would be the first that should be taken by the nurse related to this occurrence?
A. Quickly position the patient on his or her side.
B. Put on disposable gloves and remove the oral airway.
C. Check that the airway is the appropriate size for the patient.
D. Put on sterile gloves and suction the airway. - correct answer ✔✔a. When a patient vomits
upon insertion of an oropharyngeal airway, the nurse should immediately position the patient
on his or her side to prevent aspiration, remove the oral airway, and suction the mouth if
needed
4. A nurse is choosing a catheter to use to suction a patient's endotracheal tube via an open
system. On which variable would the nurse base the size of the catheter to use?
A. The age of the patient
B. The size of the endotracheal tube
C. The type of secretions to be suctioned
D. The height and weight of the patient - correct answer ✔✔. b. The nurse would base the size
of the suctioning catheter on the size of the endotracheal tube. The external diameter of the
suction catheter should not exceed half of the internal diameter of the endotracheal tube.
Larger catheters can contribute to trauma and hypoxemia.
5. A nurse is caring for a 16-year-old male patient who has been hospitalized for an acute
asthma exacerbation. Which testing methods might the nurse use to measure the patient's
oxygen saturation? Select all that apply.
,A. Thoracentesis
B. Spirometry
C. Pulse oximetry
D. Peak expiratory flow rate
E. Diffusion capacity
F. Maximal respiratory pressure - correct answer ✔✔b, c, d.
Spirometers are used to monitor the health status of patients with respiratory disorders, such as
asthma.
Pulse oximetry is used to obtain baseline information about the patient's oxygen saturation
level and is also performed for patients with asthma, along with PEFR to monitor airflow. These
three tests may be administered by the nurse.
Diffusion capacity estimates the patient's ability to absorb alveolar gases and determines if a gas
exchange problem exists. Maximal respiratory pressures help evaluate neuromuscular causes of
respiratory dysfunction. Both tests are usually performed by a respiratory therapist. The
physician or other advanced practice professional can perform a thoracentesis at the bedside
with the nurse assisting, or in the radiology department.
6. A patient with COPD is unable to perform activities of daily living (ADLs) without becoming
exhausted. Which nursing diagnosis best describes this alteration in oxygenation as the
etiology?
A. Decreased Cardiac Output related to difficulty breathing
B. Impaired Gas Exchange related to use of bronchodilators
C. Fatigue related to impaired oxygen transport system
D. Ineffective Airway Clearance related to fatigue - correct answer ✔✔c. Fatigue related to an
impaired oxygen transport system is an example of a nursing diagnosis with alteration in
oxygenation as the etiology or cause of other problems. Ineffective Airway Clearance, Decreased
, Cardiac Output and Impaired Gas Exchange are examples of nursing diagnoses indicating
alterations in oxygenation as the problem
7. A nurse working in a long-term care facility is providing teaching to patients with altered
oxygenation due to conditions such as asthma and COPD. Which measures would the nurse
recommend? Select all that apply.
A. Refrain from exercise.
B. Reduce anxiety.
C. Eat meals 1 to 2 hours prior to breathing treatments.
D. Eat a high-protein/high-calorie diet.
E. Maintain a high-Fowler's position when possible.
F. Drink 2 to 3 pints of clear fluids daily - correct answer ✔✔b, d, e. When caring for patients
with COPD, it is important to create an environment that is likely to reduce anxiety and ensure
that they eat a high-protein/high-calorie diet. People with dyspnea and orthopnea are most
comfortable in a high Fowler's position because accessory muscles can easily be used to
promote respiration. Patients with COPD should pace physical activities and schedule frequent
rest periods to conserve energy. Meals should be eaten 1 to 2 hours after breathing treatments
and exercises, and drinking 2 to 3 quarts (1.9-2.9 L) of clear fluids daily is recommended.
8. A nurse is providing postural drainage for a patient with cystic fibrosis. In which position
should the nurse place the patient to drain the right lobe of the lung?
A. High Fowler's position
B. Left side with pillow under chest wall
C. Lying position/half on abdomen and half on side
D. Trendelenberg position - correct answer ✔✔b. For postural drainage, the nurse should place
the patient lying on the left side with a pillow under the chest wall to drain the right lobe of the
lung, use high Fowler's position to drain the apical sections of the upper lobes of the lungs,
place the patient in a lying position, half on the abdomen and half on the side, right and left, to
QUESTIONS & A+ GRADED
ANSWERS
1. A nurse is suctioning the nasopharyngeal airway of a patient to maintain a patent airway. For
which condition would the nurse anticipate the need for a nasal trumpet?
A. The patient vomits during suctioning.
B. The secretions appear to be stomach contents.
C. The catheter touches an unsterile surface.
D. Epistaxis is noted with continued suctioning. - correct answer ✔✔. d. When epistaxis is noted
with continued suctioning, the nurse should notify the physician and anticipate the need for a
nasal trumpet. The nasal trumpet will protect the nasal mucosa from further trauma related to
suctioning.
2. A nurse caring for a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) knows that
hypoxia may occur in patients with respiratory problems. What are signs of this serious
condition?
Select all answers that apply.
A. Dyspnea
B .Hypotension
C. Small pulse pressure
D. Decreased respiratory rate
E. Pallor
,F. Increased pulse rate - correct answer ✔✔1. a, c, e, f. If a problem exists in ventilation,
respiration, or perfusion, hypoxia may occur. Hypoxia is a condition in which an inadequate
amount of oxygen is available to cells. The most common symptoms of hypoxia are dyspnea
(difficulty breathing), an elevated blood pressure with a small pulse pressure, increased
respiratory and pulse rates, pallor, and cyanosis.
3. A nurse is inserting an oropharyngeal airway for a patient who vomits when it is inserted.
Which action would be the first that should be taken by the nurse related to this occurrence?
A. Quickly position the patient on his or her side.
B. Put on disposable gloves and remove the oral airway.
C. Check that the airway is the appropriate size for the patient.
D. Put on sterile gloves and suction the airway. - correct answer ✔✔a. When a patient vomits
upon insertion of an oropharyngeal airway, the nurse should immediately position the patient
on his or her side to prevent aspiration, remove the oral airway, and suction the mouth if
needed
4. A nurse is choosing a catheter to use to suction a patient's endotracheal tube via an open
system. On which variable would the nurse base the size of the catheter to use?
A. The age of the patient
B. The size of the endotracheal tube
C. The type of secretions to be suctioned
D. The height and weight of the patient - correct answer ✔✔. b. The nurse would base the size
of the suctioning catheter on the size of the endotracheal tube. The external diameter of the
suction catheter should not exceed half of the internal diameter of the endotracheal tube.
Larger catheters can contribute to trauma and hypoxemia.
5. A nurse is caring for a 16-year-old male patient who has been hospitalized for an acute
asthma exacerbation. Which testing methods might the nurse use to measure the patient's
oxygen saturation? Select all that apply.
,A. Thoracentesis
B. Spirometry
C. Pulse oximetry
D. Peak expiratory flow rate
E. Diffusion capacity
F. Maximal respiratory pressure - correct answer ✔✔b, c, d.
Spirometers are used to monitor the health status of patients with respiratory disorders, such as
asthma.
Pulse oximetry is used to obtain baseline information about the patient's oxygen saturation
level and is also performed for patients with asthma, along with PEFR to monitor airflow. These
three tests may be administered by the nurse.
Diffusion capacity estimates the patient's ability to absorb alveolar gases and determines if a gas
exchange problem exists. Maximal respiratory pressures help evaluate neuromuscular causes of
respiratory dysfunction. Both tests are usually performed by a respiratory therapist. The
physician or other advanced practice professional can perform a thoracentesis at the bedside
with the nurse assisting, or in the radiology department.
6. A patient with COPD is unable to perform activities of daily living (ADLs) without becoming
exhausted. Which nursing diagnosis best describes this alteration in oxygenation as the
etiology?
A. Decreased Cardiac Output related to difficulty breathing
B. Impaired Gas Exchange related to use of bronchodilators
C. Fatigue related to impaired oxygen transport system
D. Ineffective Airway Clearance related to fatigue - correct answer ✔✔c. Fatigue related to an
impaired oxygen transport system is an example of a nursing diagnosis with alteration in
oxygenation as the etiology or cause of other problems. Ineffective Airway Clearance, Decreased
, Cardiac Output and Impaired Gas Exchange are examples of nursing diagnoses indicating
alterations in oxygenation as the problem
7. A nurse working in a long-term care facility is providing teaching to patients with altered
oxygenation due to conditions such as asthma and COPD. Which measures would the nurse
recommend? Select all that apply.
A. Refrain from exercise.
B. Reduce anxiety.
C. Eat meals 1 to 2 hours prior to breathing treatments.
D. Eat a high-protein/high-calorie diet.
E. Maintain a high-Fowler's position when possible.
F. Drink 2 to 3 pints of clear fluids daily - correct answer ✔✔b, d, e. When caring for patients
with COPD, it is important to create an environment that is likely to reduce anxiety and ensure
that they eat a high-protein/high-calorie diet. People with dyspnea and orthopnea are most
comfortable in a high Fowler's position because accessory muscles can easily be used to
promote respiration. Patients with COPD should pace physical activities and schedule frequent
rest periods to conserve energy. Meals should be eaten 1 to 2 hours after breathing treatments
and exercises, and drinking 2 to 3 quarts (1.9-2.9 L) of clear fluids daily is recommended.
8. A nurse is providing postural drainage for a patient with cystic fibrosis. In which position
should the nurse place the patient to drain the right lobe of the lung?
A. High Fowler's position
B. Left side with pillow under chest wall
C. Lying position/half on abdomen and half on side
D. Trendelenberg position - correct answer ✔✔b. For postural drainage, the nurse should place
the patient lying on the left side with a pillow under the chest wall to drain the right lobe of the
lung, use high Fowler's position to drain the apical sections of the upper lobes of the lungs,
place the patient in a lying position, half on the abdomen and half on the side, right and left, to
