NURS 681- Test #2 (Respiratory)
Questions and Correct Answers (verified
answers) | New Update 2026/27
Cough can be a side effect of which meds? - ANSWERS Hypertensives:
~ACE inhibitors
~ARBs
~beta blockers
-Nitrofurantoin
-Aminoglycosides (ex. Gentamicin)
Chronic cough (define) - ANSWERS A cough that lasts > 8 weeks
Most common cause of chronic cough? - ANSWERS **Cigarette smoking**
^triggers the cough reflex by direct bronchial irritation
Arnold reflex (define) - ANSWERS Mechanical stimulation of external auditory
meatus can cause cough
^check ears for cerumen or hairs impinging on the TM
,Crackles vs. rhonchi - ANSWERS Crackles- typically related to fluid
accumulation in the lungs; generally do not clear with cough
Rhonchi- typically due to mucus accumulation; clear after the patient coughs and
clears the airways
Tuberculosis (diagnostics) - ANSWERS **Mantoux purified protein derivative
(PPD) tuberculin skin test (TST)**
A positive result on TB screening test warrants what? - ANSWERS **Chest x-
ray**
What diagnostic is helpful in determining the presence of obstructive or restrictive
lung disease? - ANSWERS **Spirometry**
Indications for antitussives - ANSWERS Severe, acute coughing that disrupts
sleep and causes pain or extreme fatigue & weakness
~should only be used on short-term basis & only at night~
Antitussives (examples) - ANSWERS Nonnarcotic agents:
-Dextromethorphan
Pseudoephedrine/brompheniramine/dextromethorphan combination
-Benzonatate (Tessalon)
,When sleep or eating is interrupted by persistent cough, what is the preferred
antitussive? - ANSWERS Codeine
Allergic rhinitis & postnasal drip (medications) - ANSWERS Decongestants &
antihistamines
When should antihistamines be avoided? - ANSWERS In asthmatic individuals
because antihistamines may thicken secretions and inhiit expectoration
Expectorants are warranted when? - ANSWERS They are intended to decrease
sputum viscosity and are used when the patient has a productive cough and needs
help in clearing the airways
-Ex. Guaifenesin (Mucinex)
Alternative to expectorants? - ANSWERS Increase water intake to 3-4 L/day
Herbal remedies for cough suppression - ANSWERS -Horehound
-Licorice
Dyspnea in the elderly - ANSWERS Dyspnea is the major atypical presentation
for ischemic heart disease and MI and is considered a frequent anginal equivalent
Anxiety-related dyspnea - common presentation - ANSWERS Onset of dyspnea
at rest; accompanied by:
~Sense of chest tightness
~Feeling of suffocation
, ~Inability to "get air in"
When should ABGs be done? - ANSWERS When O2 sats are less than 90%
Peak expiratory flow rate (define) - ANSWERS Determines the degree of
expiratory airflow obstruction in patients with asthma or COPD
Hemoptysis (define) - ANSWERS Expectoration of blood
Hemoptysis in patients < 45 years old - likely causes - ANSWERS -Mitral
stenosis
-TB
-Bronchiectasis
-Lung abscess
Hemoptysis in patients > 45 years old - likely causes - ANSWERS -Bronchogenic
carcinoma
-Bronchitis
-TB
-Pulmonary embolus with infarction
Hemoptysis - labs in nonemergent cases - ANSWERS -Sputum culture
^for acid-fast bacilli if TB is suspected
Questions and Correct Answers (verified
answers) | New Update 2026/27
Cough can be a side effect of which meds? - ANSWERS Hypertensives:
~ACE inhibitors
~ARBs
~beta blockers
-Nitrofurantoin
-Aminoglycosides (ex. Gentamicin)
Chronic cough (define) - ANSWERS A cough that lasts > 8 weeks
Most common cause of chronic cough? - ANSWERS **Cigarette smoking**
^triggers the cough reflex by direct bronchial irritation
Arnold reflex (define) - ANSWERS Mechanical stimulation of external auditory
meatus can cause cough
^check ears for cerumen or hairs impinging on the TM
,Crackles vs. rhonchi - ANSWERS Crackles- typically related to fluid
accumulation in the lungs; generally do not clear with cough
Rhonchi- typically due to mucus accumulation; clear after the patient coughs and
clears the airways
Tuberculosis (diagnostics) - ANSWERS **Mantoux purified protein derivative
(PPD) tuberculin skin test (TST)**
A positive result on TB screening test warrants what? - ANSWERS **Chest x-
ray**
What diagnostic is helpful in determining the presence of obstructive or restrictive
lung disease? - ANSWERS **Spirometry**
Indications for antitussives - ANSWERS Severe, acute coughing that disrupts
sleep and causes pain or extreme fatigue & weakness
~should only be used on short-term basis & only at night~
Antitussives (examples) - ANSWERS Nonnarcotic agents:
-Dextromethorphan
Pseudoephedrine/brompheniramine/dextromethorphan combination
-Benzonatate (Tessalon)
,When sleep or eating is interrupted by persistent cough, what is the preferred
antitussive? - ANSWERS Codeine
Allergic rhinitis & postnasal drip (medications) - ANSWERS Decongestants &
antihistamines
When should antihistamines be avoided? - ANSWERS In asthmatic individuals
because antihistamines may thicken secretions and inhiit expectoration
Expectorants are warranted when? - ANSWERS They are intended to decrease
sputum viscosity and are used when the patient has a productive cough and needs
help in clearing the airways
-Ex. Guaifenesin (Mucinex)
Alternative to expectorants? - ANSWERS Increase water intake to 3-4 L/day
Herbal remedies for cough suppression - ANSWERS -Horehound
-Licorice
Dyspnea in the elderly - ANSWERS Dyspnea is the major atypical presentation
for ischemic heart disease and MI and is considered a frequent anginal equivalent
Anxiety-related dyspnea - common presentation - ANSWERS Onset of dyspnea
at rest; accompanied by:
~Sense of chest tightness
~Feeling of suffocation
, ~Inability to "get air in"
When should ABGs be done? - ANSWERS When O2 sats are less than 90%
Peak expiratory flow rate (define) - ANSWERS Determines the degree of
expiratory airflow obstruction in patients with asthma or COPD
Hemoptysis (define) - ANSWERS Expectoration of blood
Hemoptysis in patients < 45 years old - likely causes - ANSWERS -Mitral
stenosis
-TB
-Bronchiectasis
-Lung abscess
Hemoptysis in patients > 45 years old - likely causes - ANSWERS -Bronchogenic
carcinoma
-Bronchitis
-TB
-Pulmonary embolus with infarction
Hemoptysis - labs in nonemergent cases - ANSWERS -Sputum culture
^for acid-fast bacilli if TB is suspected
