ATI MEDICAL-SURGICAL RESPIRATORY PROCTORED EXAM
TEST BANK 2026-2027 | 180 VERIFIED PRACTICE QUESTIONS
WITH DETAILED RATIONALES
Section 1: Assessment & Diagnostic Tests
1. Q: A nurse is preparing a client for a bronchoscopy. Which of the
following actions should the nurse take?
☑CORRECT ANSWER: Remove the client's dentures before the
procedure.
Rationale: Dentures, partials, or loose teeth pose an aspiration risk and
can obstruct the bronchoscope. NPO is typically 4–8 hours, not 12. Post-
procedure, the client is placed in semi-Fowler's to facilitate breathing .
,2. Q: A nurse is reviewing arterial blood gas (ABG) results: pH 7.30,
PaCO2 60 mm Hg, HCO3 24 mEq/L. Which condition do these values
indicate?
☑CORRECT ANSWER: Respiratory acidosis.
Rationale: The pH is acidic (<7.35). PaCO2 is elevated (>45), indicating a
respiratory cause. HCO3 is normal (22–26), showing no renal
compensation yet. This is acute respiratory acidosis, typical in COPD
exacerbation or opioid overdose .
3. Q: A nurse is caring for a client following a thoracentesis. Which
finding requires immediate intervention?
☑CORRECT ANSWER: Pulse oximetry of 91% on room air.
,Rationale: A post-thoracentesis O2 sat of 91% is below the expected
range (>95%) and could indicate a complication such as pneumothorax.
A dry cough is common post-procedure, and serous drainage is
expected .
4. Q: A nurse is assessing a client with a chest tube connected to a
water-seal drainage system. Which finding indicates proper
functioning?
☑CORRECT ANSWER: Fluctuation (tidaling) in the water-seal chamber
with respirations.
Rationale: Tidaling indicates that the chest tube is patent and the
, pleural space is intact. Continuous bubbling indicates an air leak.
Suction pressure is typically -20 cm H2O for adults .
5. Q: A nurse is assessing a client who is receiving mechanical
ventilation when the low-pressure alarm sounds. Which situation
should the nurse recognize as a cause?
☑CORRECT ANSWER: Artificial airway cuff leak.
Rationale: A cuff leak interferes with oxygenation and causes the low-
pressure alarm to sound. Excess secretions, kinks in tubing, and biting
on the endotracheal tube cause high-pressure alarms .
6. Q: A nurse is preparing a client for discharge following a
bronchoscopy with moderate sedation. Which assessment is the
TEST BANK 2026-2027 | 180 VERIFIED PRACTICE QUESTIONS
WITH DETAILED RATIONALES
Section 1: Assessment & Diagnostic Tests
1. Q: A nurse is preparing a client for a bronchoscopy. Which of the
following actions should the nurse take?
☑CORRECT ANSWER: Remove the client's dentures before the
procedure.
Rationale: Dentures, partials, or loose teeth pose an aspiration risk and
can obstruct the bronchoscope. NPO is typically 4–8 hours, not 12. Post-
procedure, the client is placed in semi-Fowler's to facilitate breathing .
,2. Q: A nurse is reviewing arterial blood gas (ABG) results: pH 7.30,
PaCO2 60 mm Hg, HCO3 24 mEq/L. Which condition do these values
indicate?
☑CORRECT ANSWER: Respiratory acidosis.
Rationale: The pH is acidic (<7.35). PaCO2 is elevated (>45), indicating a
respiratory cause. HCO3 is normal (22–26), showing no renal
compensation yet. This is acute respiratory acidosis, typical in COPD
exacerbation or opioid overdose .
3. Q: A nurse is caring for a client following a thoracentesis. Which
finding requires immediate intervention?
☑CORRECT ANSWER: Pulse oximetry of 91% on room air.
,Rationale: A post-thoracentesis O2 sat of 91% is below the expected
range (>95%) and could indicate a complication such as pneumothorax.
A dry cough is common post-procedure, and serous drainage is
expected .
4. Q: A nurse is assessing a client with a chest tube connected to a
water-seal drainage system. Which finding indicates proper
functioning?
☑CORRECT ANSWER: Fluctuation (tidaling) in the water-seal chamber
with respirations.
Rationale: Tidaling indicates that the chest tube is patent and the
, pleural space is intact. Continuous bubbling indicates an air leak.
Suction pressure is typically -20 cm H2O for adults .
5. Q: A nurse is assessing a client who is receiving mechanical
ventilation when the low-pressure alarm sounds. Which situation
should the nurse recognize as a cause?
☑CORRECT ANSWER: Artificial airway cuff leak.
Rationale: A cuff leak interferes with oxygenation and causes the low-
pressure alarm to sound. Excess secretions, kinks in tubing, and biting
on the endotracheal tube cause high-pressure alarms .
6. Q: A nurse is preparing a client for discharge following a
bronchoscopy with moderate sedation. Which assessment is the
