,NU 110 — Exam 2 Comprehensive
Questions & Verified Answers | 2026 Edition
1. Which of the following best describes the primary function of the upper airway?
A) Gas exchange at the alveolar level
B) Filtration, humidification, and warming of inspired air
C) Production of surfactant
D) Regulation of blood pH through bicarbonate retention
Correct Answer: Filtration, humidification, and warming of inspired air
Rationale: The upper airway, including the nose, pharynx, and larynx, conditions inspired air by filtering
particulates, adding moisture, and adjusting temperature before air reaches the lower airways. Gas
exchange occurs in the alveoli; surfactant is produced by type II alveolar cells.
2. The nurse is assessing a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Which finding is most
consistent with hypoxemia?
A) Flushed skin and diaphoresis
B) Central cyanosis and restlessness
C) Bradycardia and hypertension
D) Increased appetite and weight gain
Correct Answer: Central cyanosis and restlessness
Rationale: Hypoxemia reduces oxygen delivery to tissues, causing bluish discoloration of mucous
membranes (central cyanosis) and altered mental status such as restlessness or confusion. Flushed skin,
bradycardia, and increased appetite are not classic signs of low oxygen.
3. A patient is being discharged with a nasal cannula at 2 L/min. The nurse should instruct the patient to
A) apply petroleum jelly inside the nares to prevent drying
,B) use only nonflammable emollients and avoid open flames
C) increase the flow rate to 4 L/min if dyspnea occurs
D) clean the nasal prongs with alcohol daily
Correct Answer: Use only nonflammable emollients and avoid open flames
Rationale: Oxygen supports combustion. Water-based lubricants are used, not petroleum jelly, which is
flammable. Flow rate should not be adjusted without a provider order. Prongs are cleaned with mild
soap and water.
4. The nurse is teaching a patient how to use an incentive spirometer. Which instruction is correct?
A) “Exhale forcefully into the mouthpiece.”
B) “Inhale slowly and deeply, holding your breath for 3 to 5 seconds at the end.”
C) “Breathe into the device only once per day.”
D) “Use the spirometer while lying flat with no head support.”
Correct Answer: “Inhale slowly and deeply, holding your breath for 3 to 5 seconds at the end.”
Rationale: Incentive spirometry encourages sustained maximal inspiration to open alveoli and prevent
atelectasis. The breath is held to maintain alveolar expansion. Exhalation is passive; the device is used
multiple times per hour while awake.
5. The nurse is caring for a patient with a tracheostomy. Which action is essential before suctioning?
A) Administer a bronchodilator via nebulizer
B) Hyperoxygenate the patient with 100% oxygen
C) Instill normal saline into the tracheostomy tube
D) Remove the inner cannula and clean with hydrogen peroxide
Correct Answer: Hyperoxygenate the patient with 100% oxygen
, Rationale: Suctioning removes oxygen along with secretions. Preoxygenation prevents suction-induced
hypoxemia. Routine instillation of saline is no longer recommended due to increased infection risk and
ineffective loosening of secretions.
6. The nurse is assessing a patient who has a chest tube connected to a water-seal drainage system.
Which finding requires immediate intervention?
A) Intermittent bubbling in the water-seal chamber during exhalation
B) Continuous bubbling in the water-seal chamber
C) Tidaling in the water-seal chamber with respiration
D) Fluctuation of the fluid level in the suction control chamber
Correct Answer: Continuous bubbling in the water-seal chamber
Rationale: Continuous bubbling in the water-seal chamber indicates an air leak in the system, requiring
assessment to locate and correct the leak. Intermittent bubbling and tidaling are expected findings
reflecting normal pleural pressure changes.
7. According to the transtheoretical model of change, a patient who has started a walking program but
has not yet maintained it for 6 months is in which stage?
A) Precontemplation
B) Contemplation
C) Preparation
D) Action
Correct Answer: Action
Rationale: The action stage involves actively engaging in behavior change for less than 6 months.
Maintenance begins after 6 months of consistent behavior. Precontemplation is unaware or unwilling;
contemplation is thinking about change; preparation is planning.
8. The nurse is teaching a patient who has a new colostomy about dietary choices. Which food should
the patient avoid to prevent odor and gas?
Questions & Verified Answers | 2026 Edition
1. Which of the following best describes the primary function of the upper airway?
A) Gas exchange at the alveolar level
B) Filtration, humidification, and warming of inspired air
C) Production of surfactant
D) Regulation of blood pH through bicarbonate retention
Correct Answer: Filtration, humidification, and warming of inspired air
Rationale: The upper airway, including the nose, pharynx, and larynx, conditions inspired air by filtering
particulates, adding moisture, and adjusting temperature before air reaches the lower airways. Gas
exchange occurs in the alveoli; surfactant is produced by type II alveolar cells.
2. The nurse is assessing a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Which finding is most
consistent with hypoxemia?
A) Flushed skin and diaphoresis
B) Central cyanosis and restlessness
C) Bradycardia and hypertension
D) Increased appetite and weight gain
Correct Answer: Central cyanosis and restlessness
Rationale: Hypoxemia reduces oxygen delivery to tissues, causing bluish discoloration of mucous
membranes (central cyanosis) and altered mental status such as restlessness or confusion. Flushed skin,
bradycardia, and increased appetite are not classic signs of low oxygen.
3. A patient is being discharged with a nasal cannula at 2 L/min. The nurse should instruct the patient to
A) apply petroleum jelly inside the nares to prevent drying
,B) use only nonflammable emollients and avoid open flames
C) increase the flow rate to 4 L/min if dyspnea occurs
D) clean the nasal prongs with alcohol daily
Correct Answer: Use only nonflammable emollients and avoid open flames
Rationale: Oxygen supports combustion. Water-based lubricants are used, not petroleum jelly, which is
flammable. Flow rate should not be adjusted without a provider order. Prongs are cleaned with mild
soap and water.
4. The nurse is teaching a patient how to use an incentive spirometer. Which instruction is correct?
A) “Exhale forcefully into the mouthpiece.”
B) “Inhale slowly and deeply, holding your breath for 3 to 5 seconds at the end.”
C) “Breathe into the device only once per day.”
D) “Use the spirometer while lying flat with no head support.”
Correct Answer: “Inhale slowly and deeply, holding your breath for 3 to 5 seconds at the end.”
Rationale: Incentive spirometry encourages sustained maximal inspiration to open alveoli and prevent
atelectasis. The breath is held to maintain alveolar expansion. Exhalation is passive; the device is used
multiple times per hour while awake.
5. The nurse is caring for a patient with a tracheostomy. Which action is essential before suctioning?
A) Administer a bronchodilator via nebulizer
B) Hyperoxygenate the patient with 100% oxygen
C) Instill normal saline into the tracheostomy tube
D) Remove the inner cannula and clean with hydrogen peroxide
Correct Answer: Hyperoxygenate the patient with 100% oxygen
, Rationale: Suctioning removes oxygen along with secretions. Preoxygenation prevents suction-induced
hypoxemia. Routine instillation of saline is no longer recommended due to increased infection risk and
ineffective loosening of secretions.
6. The nurse is assessing a patient who has a chest tube connected to a water-seal drainage system.
Which finding requires immediate intervention?
A) Intermittent bubbling in the water-seal chamber during exhalation
B) Continuous bubbling in the water-seal chamber
C) Tidaling in the water-seal chamber with respiration
D) Fluctuation of the fluid level in the suction control chamber
Correct Answer: Continuous bubbling in the water-seal chamber
Rationale: Continuous bubbling in the water-seal chamber indicates an air leak in the system, requiring
assessment to locate and correct the leak. Intermittent bubbling and tidaling are expected findings
reflecting normal pleural pressure changes.
7. According to the transtheoretical model of change, a patient who has started a walking program but
has not yet maintained it for 6 months is in which stage?
A) Precontemplation
B) Contemplation
C) Preparation
D) Action
Correct Answer: Action
Rationale: The action stage involves actively engaging in behavior change for less than 6 months.
Maintenance begins after 6 months of consistent behavior. Precontemplation is unaware or unwilling;
contemplation is thinking about change; preparation is planning.
8. The nurse is teaching a patient who has a new colostomy about dietary choices. Which food should
the patient avoid to prevent odor and gas?
