NSG 840 Actual Exam: Oxygenation and
Mechanical Ventilation of Surgical Patients|
Reviewed 2026/2027 |Questions with Answers
With Clinical Rationales
1. What are some preoperative causes of hypoxia can happen
perioperatively?: ANS
1. Comorbidities associated with hypoxia
*laryngospasm
*COPD
*OSA
2. Sedation
3. Anemia
4. Hypotension
2. What intraoperative causes of hypoxia can happen perioperatively? ANS
1. V/Q mismatch
2. Diffusion hypoxia
3. What postoperative causes of hypoxia can happen perioperatively?: ANS
1. Hypo Ventilation
2. Anesthetics
3. Opioids
4. Sedative agents
5. Upper airway obstruction
6. Pulmonary edema
7. Incomplete reversal of NMB drugs
4. What does supplemental oxygen do?: ANS It increases the partial
,pressure of O2 in the alveoli (PAO2), resulting in higher arterial oxygen
(PaO2)
5. Is more oxygen always better?: ANS No — FiO2 of 100% for extended
periods may be harmful
*steal refractory hypoxia
* decreased drive to breathe
*exposure to free radicals
*100% FiO2 can cause atelectasis
6. How can high oxygen cause absorption atelectasis?: ANS
From placement and nitrogen dis alveolar collapse
7. Can non-invasive devices reliably deliver FiO2 of 100%?: ANS No
8. At what FiO2 level is a supraglottic airway (SGA) or ube (ETT)
endotracheal t usually sufficient?: ANS 30-50%
9. How should oxygen delivery be adjusted?: ANS Always titrate delivery to
patient assessment
10. How does spontaneous ventilation work?: ANS 1. Negative-pressure
ventilation
2. Diaphragmatic contraction creates negative intrathoracic pressure
, 3. Passive movement of air into the lungs
4. Exhalation is passive from elastic recoil
11. How does positive-pressure ventilation work?: ANS
1. Bag-mask
2. Active delivery of gas under pressure
3. Exhalation remains passive
12. What is minute volume?: ANS Minute volume = tidal volume × respiratory
rate
3. Normal about 500 milliliters, but varies
14. What happens if tidal volume is too high or too low?: ANS
1. Too high: barotrauma and volutrauma
2. Too low: atelectasis
15. What goal is the respiratory rate set during mechanical ventilation?: ANS
End-tidal carbon dioxide targets
Mechanical Ventilation of Surgical Patients|
Reviewed 2026/2027 |Questions with Answers
With Clinical Rationales
1. What are some preoperative causes of hypoxia can happen
perioperatively?: ANS
1. Comorbidities associated with hypoxia
*laryngospasm
*COPD
*OSA
2. Sedation
3. Anemia
4. Hypotension
2. What intraoperative causes of hypoxia can happen perioperatively? ANS
1. V/Q mismatch
2. Diffusion hypoxia
3. What postoperative causes of hypoxia can happen perioperatively?: ANS
1. Hypo Ventilation
2. Anesthetics
3. Opioids
4. Sedative agents
5. Upper airway obstruction
6. Pulmonary edema
7. Incomplete reversal of NMB drugs
4. What does supplemental oxygen do?: ANS It increases the partial
,pressure of O2 in the alveoli (PAO2), resulting in higher arterial oxygen
(PaO2)
5. Is more oxygen always better?: ANS No — FiO2 of 100% for extended
periods may be harmful
*steal refractory hypoxia
* decreased drive to breathe
*exposure to free radicals
*100% FiO2 can cause atelectasis
6. How can high oxygen cause absorption atelectasis?: ANS
From placement and nitrogen dis alveolar collapse
7. Can non-invasive devices reliably deliver FiO2 of 100%?: ANS No
8. At what FiO2 level is a supraglottic airway (SGA) or ube (ETT)
endotracheal t usually sufficient?: ANS 30-50%
9. How should oxygen delivery be adjusted?: ANS Always titrate delivery to
patient assessment
10. How does spontaneous ventilation work?: ANS 1. Negative-pressure
ventilation
2. Diaphragmatic contraction creates negative intrathoracic pressure
, 3. Passive movement of air into the lungs
4. Exhalation is passive from elastic recoil
11. How does positive-pressure ventilation work?: ANS
1. Bag-mask
2. Active delivery of gas under pressure
3. Exhalation remains passive
12. What is minute volume?: ANS Minute volume = tidal volume × respiratory
rate
3. Normal about 500 milliliters, but varies
14. What happens if tidal volume is too high or too low?: ANS
1. Too high: barotrauma and volutrauma
2. Too low: atelectasis
15. What goal is the respiratory rate set during mechanical ventilation?: ANS
End-tidal carbon dioxide targets
