NUR 125: Fundamentals of Professional Nursing
Exam 3
JOYCE University
Verified Questions & Answers, with rationales
2026/2027 Latest Update | Newly Released
Q1: A patient with COPD is prescribed oxygen at 2 L/min via nasal cannula. The patient asks
why they cannot have a higher flow rate because they feel short of breath. What is the nurse's
best response?
A. "Higher oxygen levels will damage your lungs and cause fibrosis."
B. "Your brain requires a low oxygen level to stimulate breathing, and high oxygen could
stop your breathing drive."
C. "We need to conserve oxygen supply for patients who are acutely ill."
D. "A nasal cannula cannot deliver oxygen effectively above 2 liters per minute."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Patients with chronic retainer conditions (like COPD) rely on hypoxia as their
primary drive to breathe; high levels of oxygen can suppress this drive, leading to respiratory
failure (hypercapnia).
Q2: The nurse is caring for a patient who has a tracheostomy tube with an inner cannula. Which
action is most appropriate when cleaning the reusable inner cannula?
A. Soak it in sterile water for 30 minutes before rinsing.
B. Clean it with hydrogen peroxide and rinse with sterile normal saline.
C. Use only normal saline to maintain the natural flora.
D. Insert it immediately after removal without cleaning to maintain patency.
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hydrogen peroxide is used to remove secretions and debris, followed by a thorough
rinse with sterile normal saline to remove any residual peroxide that could damage mucosal
tissues.
Q3: A patient is admitted with suspected carbon monoxide poisoning. The nurse anticipates the
administration of which oxygen therapy device?
A. Simple face mask
B. Venturi mask
C. Non-rebreather mask at 15 L/min
D. Nasal cannula at 4 L/min
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Carbon monoxide has a high affinity for hemoglobin; a non-rebreather mask at high
flow delivers the highest concentration of oxygen (90-100%) to rapidly displace the carbon
monoxide.
Q4: Which assessment finding indicates the earliest sign of hypoxia in a patient?
A. Cyanosis
B. Restlessness and anxiety
C. Bradycardia
D. Hypercapnia
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Restlessness, anxiety, and agitation are early cerebral signs of hypoxia; cyanosis and
bradycardia are late signs indicating significant decompensation.
, Q5: The nurse is teaching a patient how to use an incentive spirometer. Which instruction by the
nurse is most accurate?
A. "Exhale forcefully into the device to move the piston."
B. "Place the mouthpiece in your mouth, seal your lips tightly, and inhale slowly and deeply."
C. "Use the spirometer every 8 hours for 3 breaths."
D. "Do not hold your breath after inhaling; exhale immediately."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct technique involves sealing the lips around the mouthpiece and inhaling
slowly and deeply to sustain the piston elevation, which promotes lung expansion and prevents
atelectasis.
Q6: When performing oropharyngeal suctioning on an adult patient, the nurse should limit each
suctioning pass to which maximum duration?
A. 5 seconds
B. 10 seconds
C. 15 seconds
D. 30 seconds
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Suctioning should not exceed 10 to 15 seconds to prevent hypoxia and mucosal
damage; however, 10 seconds is the safest standard limit for adults to minimize complications.
Q7: A patient post-abdominal surgery is reluctant to cough due to incisional pain. Which nursing
intervention best facilitates effective coughing?
A. Administering a sedative prior to coughing
B. Providing a pillow for the patient to splint the incision
C. Encouraging shallow breathing to minimize pain
D. Placing the patient in the supine position
Correct Answer: B
Exam 3
JOYCE University
Verified Questions & Answers, with rationales
2026/2027 Latest Update | Newly Released
Q1: A patient with COPD is prescribed oxygen at 2 L/min via nasal cannula. The patient asks
why they cannot have a higher flow rate because they feel short of breath. What is the nurse's
best response?
A. "Higher oxygen levels will damage your lungs and cause fibrosis."
B. "Your brain requires a low oxygen level to stimulate breathing, and high oxygen could
stop your breathing drive."
C. "We need to conserve oxygen supply for patients who are acutely ill."
D. "A nasal cannula cannot deliver oxygen effectively above 2 liters per minute."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Patients with chronic retainer conditions (like COPD) rely on hypoxia as their
primary drive to breathe; high levels of oxygen can suppress this drive, leading to respiratory
failure (hypercapnia).
Q2: The nurse is caring for a patient who has a tracheostomy tube with an inner cannula. Which
action is most appropriate when cleaning the reusable inner cannula?
A. Soak it in sterile water for 30 minutes before rinsing.
B. Clean it with hydrogen peroxide and rinse with sterile normal saline.
C. Use only normal saline to maintain the natural flora.
D. Insert it immediately after removal without cleaning to maintain patency.
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hydrogen peroxide is used to remove secretions and debris, followed by a thorough
rinse with sterile normal saline to remove any residual peroxide that could damage mucosal
tissues.
Q3: A patient is admitted with suspected carbon monoxide poisoning. The nurse anticipates the
administration of which oxygen therapy device?
A. Simple face mask
B. Venturi mask
C. Non-rebreather mask at 15 L/min
D. Nasal cannula at 4 L/min
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Carbon monoxide has a high affinity for hemoglobin; a non-rebreather mask at high
flow delivers the highest concentration of oxygen (90-100%) to rapidly displace the carbon
monoxide.
Q4: Which assessment finding indicates the earliest sign of hypoxia in a patient?
A. Cyanosis
B. Restlessness and anxiety
C. Bradycardia
D. Hypercapnia
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Restlessness, anxiety, and agitation are early cerebral signs of hypoxia; cyanosis and
bradycardia are late signs indicating significant decompensation.
, Q5: The nurse is teaching a patient how to use an incentive spirometer. Which instruction by the
nurse is most accurate?
A. "Exhale forcefully into the device to move the piston."
B. "Place the mouthpiece in your mouth, seal your lips tightly, and inhale slowly and deeply."
C. "Use the spirometer every 8 hours for 3 breaths."
D. "Do not hold your breath after inhaling; exhale immediately."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct technique involves sealing the lips around the mouthpiece and inhaling
slowly and deeply to sustain the piston elevation, which promotes lung expansion and prevents
atelectasis.
Q6: When performing oropharyngeal suctioning on an adult patient, the nurse should limit each
suctioning pass to which maximum duration?
A. 5 seconds
B. 10 seconds
C. 15 seconds
D. 30 seconds
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Suctioning should not exceed 10 to 15 seconds to prevent hypoxia and mucosal
damage; however, 10 seconds is the safest standard limit for adults to minimize complications.
Q7: A patient post-abdominal surgery is reluctant to cough due to incisional pain. Which nursing
intervention best facilitates effective coughing?
A. Administering a sedative prior to coughing
B. Providing a pillow for the patient to splint the incision
C. Encouraging shallow breathing to minimize pain
D. Placing the patient in the supine position
Correct Answer: B
