NSG 170 EXAMINATION ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS RATED A+
✔✔PaO2 - ✔✔measurement of the actual oxygen content in arterial blood
✔✔PaO2: Normal Ranges - ✔✔80-100 mm Hg
Older adults: values may be lower
✔✔PaO2: Significance of Abnormal Findings - ✔✔Elevations indicate possible
excessive oxygen administration.
Decreased levels indicate possible COPD, asthma, chronic bronchitis, cancer of the
bronchi and lungs, cystic fibrosis, respiratory distress syndrome, anemias, atelectasis,
or any other cause of hypoxia.
✔✔PaCO2 - ✔✔measurement of the actual carbon dioxide content in arterial blood
✔✔PaCO2: Normal Range - ✔✔35-45 mm Hg
✔✔PaCO2: Significance of Abnormal Findings - ✔✔Elevations indicate possible COPD,
asthma, pneumonia, anesthesia effects, or use of opioids (respiratory acidosis).
Decreased levels indicate hyperventilation/respiratory alkalosis.
✔✔pH: Normal Ranges - ✔✔Up to 60 yr: 7.35-7.45
60-90 yr: 7.31-7.42
>90 yr: 7.26-7.43
✔✔pH: Significance of Abnormal Findings - ✔✔Elevations indicate metabolic or
respiratory alkalosis.
,Decreased levels indicate metabolic or respiratory acidosis.
✔✔HCO3 - ✔✔hydrogen carbonate (bicarbonate)
✔✔HCO3: Normal Range - ✔✔21-28 mEq/L
(21-28 mmol/L)
✔✔HCO3: Significance of Abnormal Findings - ✔✔Elevations indicate possible
respiratory acidosis as compensation for a primary metabolic alkalosis.
Decreased levels indicate possible respiratory alkalosis as compensation for a primary
metabolic acidosis.
✔✔Sp02 - ✔✔pulse oxygen saturation
✔✔Sp02: Normal Range - ✔✔95%-100%
Older adults: values may be slightly lower
✔✔Sp02: Significance of Abnormal Findings - ✔✔Decreased levels indicate possible
impaired ability of hemoglobin to release oxygen to tissues.
✔✔Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) - ✔✔permanent, destructive
pulmonary disorder that is a combination of chronic bronchitis and emphysema
✔✔Emphysema - ✔✔loss of lung elasticity and hyperinflation of the lung.
✔✔Proteases - ✔✔destroy and eliminate particulates inhaled during breathing
Cigarette smoking triggers increased synthesis of these enzymes. When these
proteases are present in higher-than-normal levels, they damage the alveoli and the
small airways by breaking down elastin.
✔✔Chronic Bronchitis - ✔✔Bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchi and bronchioles
caused by exposure to irritants, especially cigarette smoke. The irritant triggers
inflammation, vasodilation, mucosal edema, congestion, and bronchospasm. Bronchitis
affects only the airways, not the alveoli.
✔✔Chronic bronchitis impairs airflow and GAS EXCHANGE because ______. -
✔✔mucus plugs and infection narrow the airways.
As a result, the PaO2 level decreases (hypoxemia), and the arterial carbon dioxide
(PaCO2) level increases (respiratory acidosis).
, ✔✔____ is the greatest risk factor for COPD. - ✔✔Cigarette smoking
✔✔Breathing Exercises: Diaphragmatic or Abdominal Breathing - ✔✔• If you can do so
comfortably, lie on your back with your knees bent. If you cannot lie comfortably,
perform this exercise while sitting in a chair.
• Place your hands or a book on your abdomen to create resistance.
• Begin breathing from your abdomen while keeping your chest still. You can tell if you
are breathing correctly if your hands or the book rises and falls accordingly.
✔✔Breathing Exercises: Pursed Lip Breathing - ✔✔• Close your mouth and breathe in
through your nose.
• Purse your lips as you would to whistle. Breathe out slowly through your mouth,
without puffing your cheeks. Spend at least twice the amount of time it took you to
breathe in.
• Use your abdominal muscles to squeeze out every bit of air you can.
• Remember to use pursed-lip breathing during any physical activity. Always inhale
before beginning the activity and exhale while performing it. Never hold your breath.
✔✔Home Care Assessment: COPD Patient - ✔✔Assess respiratory status and
adequacy of GAS EXCHANGE.
Assess cardiac status for adequate PERFUSION.
Assess nutritional status.
Assess patient's and caregiver's adherence and understanding of illness and treatment,
including:
• Correct use of supplemental oxygen
• Correct use of inhalers
• Drug schedule and side effects, etc.
✔✔COPD is seen more often in ____ - ✔✔Older Men
✔✔Inflammation of the mucous membranes lining the airways is a key event in
triggering an asthma attack. It occurs in response to the presence of: _______ -
ANSWERS RATED A+
✔✔PaO2 - ✔✔measurement of the actual oxygen content in arterial blood
✔✔PaO2: Normal Ranges - ✔✔80-100 mm Hg
Older adults: values may be lower
✔✔PaO2: Significance of Abnormal Findings - ✔✔Elevations indicate possible
excessive oxygen administration.
Decreased levels indicate possible COPD, asthma, chronic bronchitis, cancer of the
bronchi and lungs, cystic fibrosis, respiratory distress syndrome, anemias, atelectasis,
or any other cause of hypoxia.
✔✔PaCO2 - ✔✔measurement of the actual carbon dioxide content in arterial blood
✔✔PaCO2: Normal Range - ✔✔35-45 mm Hg
✔✔PaCO2: Significance of Abnormal Findings - ✔✔Elevations indicate possible COPD,
asthma, pneumonia, anesthesia effects, or use of opioids (respiratory acidosis).
Decreased levels indicate hyperventilation/respiratory alkalosis.
✔✔pH: Normal Ranges - ✔✔Up to 60 yr: 7.35-7.45
60-90 yr: 7.31-7.42
>90 yr: 7.26-7.43
✔✔pH: Significance of Abnormal Findings - ✔✔Elevations indicate metabolic or
respiratory alkalosis.
,Decreased levels indicate metabolic or respiratory acidosis.
✔✔HCO3 - ✔✔hydrogen carbonate (bicarbonate)
✔✔HCO3: Normal Range - ✔✔21-28 mEq/L
(21-28 mmol/L)
✔✔HCO3: Significance of Abnormal Findings - ✔✔Elevations indicate possible
respiratory acidosis as compensation for a primary metabolic alkalosis.
Decreased levels indicate possible respiratory alkalosis as compensation for a primary
metabolic acidosis.
✔✔Sp02 - ✔✔pulse oxygen saturation
✔✔Sp02: Normal Range - ✔✔95%-100%
Older adults: values may be slightly lower
✔✔Sp02: Significance of Abnormal Findings - ✔✔Decreased levels indicate possible
impaired ability of hemoglobin to release oxygen to tissues.
✔✔Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) - ✔✔permanent, destructive
pulmonary disorder that is a combination of chronic bronchitis and emphysema
✔✔Emphysema - ✔✔loss of lung elasticity and hyperinflation of the lung.
✔✔Proteases - ✔✔destroy and eliminate particulates inhaled during breathing
Cigarette smoking triggers increased synthesis of these enzymes. When these
proteases are present in higher-than-normal levels, they damage the alveoli and the
small airways by breaking down elastin.
✔✔Chronic Bronchitis - ✔✔Bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchi and bronchioles
caused by exposure to irritants, especially cigarette smoke. The irritant triggers
inflammation, vasodilation, mucosal edema, congestion, and bronchospasm. Bronchitis
affects only the airways, not the alveoli.
✔✔Chronic bronchitis impairs airflow and GAS EXCHANGE because ______. -
✔✔mucus plugs and infection narrow the airways.
As a result, the PaO2 level decreases (hypoxemia), and the arterial carbon dioxide
(PaCO2) level increases (respiratory acidosis).
, ✔✔____ is the greatest risk factor for COPD. - ✔✔Cigarette smoking
✔✔Breathing Exercises: Diaphragmatic or Abdominal Breathing - ✔✔• If you can do so
comfortably, lie on your back with your knees bent. If you cannot lie comfortably,
perform this exercise while sitting in a chair.
• Place your hands or a book on your abdomen to create resistance.
• Begin breathing from your abdomen while keeping your chest still. You can tell if you
are breathing correctly if your hands or the book rises and falls accordingly.
✔✔Breathing Exercises: Pursed Lip Breathing - ✔✔• Close your mouth and breathe in
through your nose.
• Purse your lips as you would to whistle. Breathe out slowly through your mouth,
without puffing your cheeks. Spend at least twice the amount of time it took you to
breathe in.
• Use your abdominal muscles to squeeze out every bit of air you can.
• Remember to use pursed-lip breathing during any physical activity. Always inhale
before beginning the activity and exhale while performing it. Never hold your breath.
✔✔Home Care Assessment: COPD Patient - ✔✔Assess respiratory status and
adequacy of GAS EXCHANGE.
Assess cardiac status for adequate PERFUSION.
Assess nutritional status.
Assess patient's and caregiver's adherence and understanding of illness and treatment,
including:
• Correct use of supplemental oxygen
• Correct use of inhalers
• Drug schedule and side effects, etc.
✔✔COPD is seen more often in ____ - ✔✔Older Men
✔✔Inflammation of the mucous membranes lining the airways is a key event in
triggering an asthma attack. It occurs in response to the presence of: _______ -
