,NSG3800/NSG 3800 Exam 2 | Adult Health II |
Galen College | Q & A | 2026/2027 Edition (PDF)
1. Which of the following physical assessment findings is most commonly associated with emphysema?
A) Productive cough
B) Barrel chest
C) Peripheral cyanosis
D) Clubbing of the fingers
Correct Answer: B) Barrel chest
Rationale: Barrel chest results from chronic air trapping and hyperinflation of the lungs, which is a classic
finding in emphysema. Productive cough is more typical of chronic bronchitis. Clubbing can occur in
chronic hypoxemia but is not as specific to emphysema as barrel chest.
2. What is the most effective intervention to reduce the risk of developing chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD)?
A) Annual influenza vaccination
B) Smoking cessation
C) Regular use of bronchodilators
D) Participation in pulmonary rehabilitation
Correct Answer: B) Smoking cessation
Rationale: Smoking is the primary risk factor for COPD, and smoking cessation is the single most effective
intervention to prevent the disease. While vaccination and rehabilitation are important in managing
existing COPD, they do not prevent the initial development of the disease.
3. A client with sarcoidosis is receiving corticosteroid therapy. Which adverse effect requires close
monitoring?
A) Hypoglycemia
,B) Hyperglycemia
C) Weight loss
D) Hypotension
Correct Answer: B) Hyperglycemia
Rationale: Corticosteroids cause hyperglycemia by promoting gluconeogenesis and reducing peripheral
glucose uptake. Other adverse effects include weight gain, hypertension, and immunosuppression.
Hypoglycemia, weight loss, and hypotension are not typical corticosteroid effects.
4. Which finding in the suction control chamber of a wet chest tube system indicates proper
functioning?
A) Continuous bubbling
B) Gentle bubbling
C) No bubbling
D) Intermittent gurgling
Correct Answer: B) Gentle bubbling
Rationale: In a wet chest tube system, the suction control chamber should exhibit gentle, continuous
bubbling when suction is applied. Continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber indicates an air leak,
while no bubbling suggests the suction is not working properly.
5. According to the pathophysiology of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), what is the primary mechanism
causing apnea episodes?
A) Central nervous system depression
B) Upper airway collapse during sleep
C) Excessive mucus production
D) Bronchospasm
Correct Answer: B) Upper airway collapse during sleep
, Rationale: Obstructive sleep apnea is caused by repetitive collapse of the upper airway during sleep,
leading to cessation of breathing for 10 seconds or more. This is distinct from central sleep apnea, which
involves a lack of respiratory effort from the brain.
6. A nurse is preparing to obtain a sputum specimen from a client. Which sequence of steps is correct?
A) Cough deeply, rinse mouth, deep breathe, expel sputum
B) Rinse mouth, deep breathe, cough deeply, expel sputum
C) Deep breathe, rinse mouth, cough deeply, expel sputum
D) Rinse mouth, cough deeply, deep breathe, expel sputum
Correct Answer: B) Rinse mouth, deep breathe, cough deeply, expel sputum
Rationale: The correct sequence for obtaining a sputum specimen is to first rinse the mouth with water
to reduce contamination, then take several deep breaths, cough deeply from the chest, and expel the
sputum into the sterile container. This ensures a quality specimen.
7. A client with pneumonia is receiving antibiotic therapy. Which assessment finding would indicate the
treatment is effective?
A) Increased white blood cell count
B) Decreased fever and improved breath sounds
C) Increased sputum production
D) Persistent crackles in all lung fields
Correct Answer: B) Decreased fever and improved breath sounds
Rationale: Effective antibiotic therapy for pneumonia should result in clinical improvement, including
resolution of fever, decreased cough, and improved breath sounds. Increased WBCs and persistent
crackles suggest ongoing infection or complications.
8. Which type of lung cancer is most strongly associated with smoking and typically arises in the major
bronchi?
Galen College | Q & A | 2026/2027 Edition (PDF)
1. Which of the following physical assessment findings is most commonly associated with emphysema?
A) Productive cough
B) Barrel chest
C) Peripheral cyanosis
D) Clubbing of the fingers
Correct Answer: B) Barrel chest
Rationale: Barrel chest results from chronic air trapping and hyperinflation of the lungs, which is a classic
finding in emphysema. Productive cough is more typical of chronic bronchitis. Clubbing can occur in
chronic hypoxemia but is not as specific to emphysema as barrel chest.
2. What is the most effective intervention to reduce the risk of developing chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD)?
A) Annual influenza vaccination
B) Smoking cessation
C) Regular use of bronchodilators
D) Participation in pulmonary rehabilitation
Correct Answer: B) Smoking cessation
Rationale: Smoking is the primary risk factor for COPD, and smoking cessation is the single most effective
intervention to prevent the disease. While vaccination and rehabilitation are important in managing
existing COPD, they do not prevent the initial development of the disease.
3. A client with sarcoidosis is receiving corticosteroid therapy. Which adverse effect requires close
monitoring?
A) Hypoglycemia
,B) Hyperglycemia
C) Weight loss
D) Hypotension
Correct Answer: B) Hyperglycemia
Rationale: Corticosteroids cause hyperglycemia by promoting gluconeogenesis and reducing peripheral
glucose uptake. Other adverse effects include weight gain, hypertension, and immunosuppression.
Hypoglycemia, weight loss, and hypotension are not typical corticosteroid effects.
4. Which finding in the suction control chamber of a wet chest tube system indicates proper
functioning?
A) Continuous bubbling
B) Gentle bubbling
C) No bubbling
D) Intermittent gurgling
Correct Answer: B) Gentle bubbling
Rationale: In a wet chest tube system, the suction control chamber should exhibit gentle, continuous
bubbling when suction is applied. Continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber indicates an air leak,
while no bubbling suggests the suction is not working properly.
5. According to the pathophysiology of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), what is the primary mechanism
causing apnea episodes?
A) Central nervous system depression
B) Upper airway collapse during sleep
C) Excessive mucus production
D) Bronchospasm
Correct Answer: B) Upper airway collapse during sleep
, Rationale: Obstructive sleep apnea is caused by repetitive collapse of the upper airway during sleep,
leading to cessation of breathing for 10 seconds or more. This is distinct from central sleep apnea, which
involves a lack of respiratory effort from the brain.
6. A nurse is preparing to obtain a sputum specimen from a client. Which sequence of steps is correct?
A) Cough deeply, rinse mouth, deep breathe, expel sputum
B) Rinse mouth, deep breathe, cough deeply, expel sputum
C) Deep breathe, rinse mouth, cough deeply, expel sputum
D) Rinse mouth, cough deeply, deep breathe, expel sputum
Correct Answer: B) Rinse mouth, deep breathe, cough deeply, expel sputum
Rationale: The correct sequence for obtaining a sputum specimen is to first rinse the mouth with water
to reduce contamination, then take several deep breaths, cough deeply from the chest, and expel the
sputum into the sterile container. This ensures a quality specimen.
7. A client with pneumonia is receiving antibiotic therapy. Which assessment finding would indicate the
treatment is effective?
A) Increased white blood cell count
B) Decreased fever and improved breath sounds
C) Increased sputum production
D) Persistent crackles in all lung fields
Correct Answer: B) Decreased fever and improved breath sounds
Rationale: Effective antibiotic therapy for pneumonia should result in clinical improvement, including
resolution of fever, decreased cough, and improved breath sounds. Increased WBCs and persistent
crackles suggest ongoing infection or complications.
8. Which type of lung cancer is most strongly associated with smoking and typically arises in the major
bronchi?
