NSG 300 EXAM 3 – FOUNDATIONS OF NURSING
(2026)
Grand Canyon University | Complete 250-
Question Test Bank | Verified Answers & Detailed
Rationales | 100% Pass Guarantee
1. A patient with COPD is using accessory muscles to
breathe. What does this indicate?
A) Normal breathing pattern
B) Increased work of breathing
C) Improved oxygenation
D) Respiratory relaxation
Answer: B) Increased work of breathing
Rationale: Accessory muscle use (intercostal and
abdominal muscles) indicates the patient is working
harder to breathe. This is frequently seen in patients
with COPD/emphysema who need to increase lung
volume. Prolonged use eventually leads to fatigue.
,2. What are the three steps of oxygenation?
A) Inspiration, expiration, diffusion
B) Ventilation, perfusion, diffusion
C) Inhalation, exhalation, circulation
D) Oxygenation, ventilation, respiration
Answer: B) Ventilation, perfusion, diffusion
Rationale: Ventilation is the movement of air in and
out of the lungs; perfusion is the ability of the
cardiovascular system to pump oxygenated blood to
tissues; diffusion moves gases across the alveolar-
capillary membrane by concentration gradients.
3. Which position best improves oxygenation in a
patient with dyspnea?
A) Supine
B) High Fowler's
C) Trendelenburg
D) Side-lying
Answer: B) High Fowler's
Rationale: Elevating the head of the bed promotes
,lungexpansion, eases thework ofbreathing, and
optimizes diaphragmatic excursion. This is the priority
non-invasiveinterventionfordyspnea.
4. What is thenormal oxygensaturation(SpO₂) range
forahealthyadult?
A) 85–90%
B) 90–94%
C) 95–100%
D) 80–85%
Answer: C) 95–100%
Rationale: Normal SpO₂ is ≥95%. Values below 95%
may indicate potential hypoxia; below 90% is a clinical
emergencyrequiringimmediateintervention.
5. What is themostaccuratemeasureofapatient's
oxygenationstatus?
A) Pulseoximetry
B) Arterial blood gases(ABG)
, C) Respiratory rate
D) Bloodpressure
Answer: B) Arterial blood gases (ABG)
Rationale: ABG provides direct measurement of PaO₂
(partial pressureofoxygen in arterial blood) and is the
mostaccurate assessment of oxygenation. Pulse
oximetry(A) is anon-invasive estimatebutless
accurate.
6. Apatient's hemoglobin is low. Whatdoesthis affect?
A) Heartrate
B) Oxygen-carryingcapacityofthe blood
C) Bloodpressure
D) Respiratoryrate
Answer: B) Oxygen-carryingcapacityofthe blood
Rationale: Three factors influence the blood's oxygen-
carrying capacity: the amount of dissolved oxygen in
plasma, theamountof hemoglobin, andthe ability of
hemoglobin to bind withoxygen. Patientswithlow
hemoglobin havedecreased ability tocarryanddeliver
oxygen to tissues.
(2026)
Grand Canyon University | Complete 250-
Question Test Bank | Verified Answers & Detailed
Rationales | 100% Pass Guarantee
1. A patient with COPD is using accessory muscles to
breathe. What does this indicate?
A) Normal breathing pattern
B) Increased work of breathing
C) Improved oxygenation
D) Respiratory relaxation
Answer: B) Increased work of breathing
Rationale: Accessory muscle use (intercostal and
abdominal muscles) indicates the patient is working
harder to breathe. This is frequently seen in patients
with COPD/emphysema who need to increase lung
volume. Prolonged use eventually leads to fatigue.
,2. What are the three steps of oxygenation?
A) Inspiration, expiration, diffusion
B) Ventilation, perfusion, diffusion
C) Inhalation, exhalation, circulation
D) Oxygenation, ventilation, respiration
Answer: B) Ventilation, perfusion, diffusion
Rationale: Ventilation is the movement of air in and
out of the lungs; perfusion is the ability of the
cardiovascular system to pump oxygenated blood to
tissues; diffusion moves gases across the alveolar-
capillary membrane by concentration gradients.
3. Which position best improves oxygenation in a
patient with dyspnea?
A) Supine
B) High Fowler's
C) Trendelenburg
D) Side-lying
Answer: B) High Fowler's
Rationale: Elevating the head of the bed promotes
,lungexpansion, eases thework ofbreathing, and
optimizes diaphragmatic excursion. This is the priority
non-invasiveinterventionfordyspnea.
4. What is thenormal oxygensaturation(SpO₂) range
forahealthyadult?
A) 85–90%
B) 90–94%
C) 95–100%
D) 80–85%
Answer: C) 95–100%
Rationale: Normal SpO₂ is ≥95%. Values below 95%
may indicate potential hypoxia; below 90% is a clinical
emergencyrequiringimmediateintervention.
5. What is themostaccuratemeasureofapatient's
oxygenationstatus?
A) Pulseoximetry
B) Arterial blood gases(ABG)
, C) Respiratory rate
D) Bloodpressure
Answer: B) Arterial blood gases (ABG)
Rationale: ABG provides direct measurement of PaO₂
(partial pressureofoxygen in arterial blood) and is the
mostaccurate assessment of oxygenation. Pulse
oximetry(A) is anon-invasive estimatebutless
accurate.
6. Apatient's hemoglobin is low. Whatdoesthis affect?
A) Heartrate
B) Oxygen-carryingcapacityofthe blood
C) Bloodpressure
D) Respiratoryrate
Answer: B) Oxygen-carryingcapacityofthe blood
Rationale: Three factors influence the blood's oxygen-
carrying capacity: the amount of dissolved oxygen in
plasma, theamountof hemoglobin, andthe ability of
hemoglobin to bind withoxygen. Patientswithlow
hemoglobin havedecreased ability tocarryanddeliver
oxygen to tissues.
