OXYGENATION AND PERFUSION PRACTICE
PAPER GUIDE 2026 FULLY ACCURATE
ANSWERS
⫸ 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. A nosebleed is noted with continued suctioning. Answer: d. A
nosebleed is noted with continued suctioning
⫸ 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. Remove the catheter
b. Notify the primary care provider
c. Check that the airway is the appropriate size for the patient
d. Place the patient on his or her back. Answer: a. Remove the
catheter
, ⫸ 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. 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.
⫸ A nurse is caring for a 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. Pulse oximetry
c. Diffusion capacity
d. Maximal respiratory pressure. Answer: b. Pulse oximetry
⫸ A patient with COPD is unable to perform personal hygiene
without becoming exhausted. Which nursing intervention would be
appropriate for this patient?
PAPER GUIDE 2026 FULLY ACCURATE
ANSWERS
⫸ 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. A nosebleed is noted with continued suctioning. Answer: d. A
nosebleed is noted with continued suctioning
⫸ 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. Remove the catheter
b. Notify the primary care provider
c. Check that the airway is the appropriate size for the patient
d. Place the patient on his or her back. Answer: a. Remove the
catheter
, ⫸ 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. 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.
⫸ A nurse is caring for a 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. Pulse oximetry
c. Diffusion capacity
d. Maximal respiratory pressure. Answer: b. Pulse oximetry
⫸ A patient with COPD is unable to perform personal hygiene
without becoming exhausted. Which nursing intervention would be
appropriate for this patient?
