CORE CONCEPT EXAM 3 – TTUHSC STUDY GUIDE, PRACTICE QUESTIONS & EXAM
REVIEW 2026/2027
oxygenation - ✔✔mechanism that facilitates or impairs the body's ability to supply oxygen to cells
hypoxemia - ✔✔inadequate oxygenation of blood
hypoxia - ✔✔inadequate oxygenation of tissues
where is the location of gas exchange in the body? - ✔✔alveoli
the most sensitive area to decreased oxygen is: - ✔✔the brain
women have lower concentrations of ________ and ___________, which may affect oxygenation -
✔✔hematocrit & hemoglobin
carbon monoxide poisoning - ✔✔occurs when CO binds to hemoglobin in place of O2 (competitive
inhibition; blood is fully oxygenated but body cannot use O2)
mild/early signs of alterations in oxygenation - ✔✔fatigue, restlessness, discomfort, irritability,
tachycardia/tachypnea, confusion
late signs of alterations in oxygenation - ✔✔bradycardia, hypotension, extreme restlessness, cyanosis,
dyspnea
hypoxia in children (FINES) - ✔✔feeding difficulty, inspiratory stridor, nares flare, expiratory grunting,
sternal retractions
eupnea - ✔✔normal breathing
dyspnea - ✔✔difficulty breathing
tachypnea - ✔✔fast breathing (>20 breaths per minute)
bradypnea - ✔✔slow breathing (<12 breaths per minute)
apnea - ✔✔absence of breathing
orthopnea - ✔✔difficulty breathing when supine
inspiration - ✔✔active movement of intercostal muscles to expand the ribs, which creates negative
pressure inside the lungs and pulls air in
expiration - ✔✔passive relaxation of intercostals that moves air out of the lungs
compliance - ✔✔ease with which the lungs expand
, recoil - ✔✔ease with which the lungs return to resting position
ventilation - ✔✔movement of air in and out of the lungs (gas exchange)
crackles (rales) can be heard in which disorders - ✔✔bronchiectasis, bronchitis, pneumonia, fibrosis,
CHF
crackles (rales) indicate - ✔✔alveolar fluid movement (fluid in the lungs)
wheezes indicate - ✔✔upper airway narrowing
wheezes can be heard in which disorders - ✔✔asthma, COPD, & other airway obstructive disorders
rhonchi suggests - ✔✔secretions in the large airways
ABC - ✔✔airway, breathing, circulation
airway (ABC) - ✔✔ensuring that the airway is patent and air is flowing in and out of the lungs regularly
breathing (ABC) - ✔✔air is moving down to the alveoli for gas exchange properly
circulation (ABC) - ✔✔body tissues are being perfused with oxygenated blood and CO2 is being
expelled
which medication class should NEVER be administered to a patient with a respiratory/oxygenation
disorder? - ✔✔respiratory depression
possible independent interventions for respiratory patients - ✔✔postural adjustments
activity tolerance/promotion of rest
promotion of secretion clearance (coughing)
suctioning to remove secretions
increasing fluid intake to thin and loosen secretions
breathing therapy
high fowler's position is ideal for - ✔✔dyspneic patients
pursed lip breathing may help - ✔✔COPD patients
huff cough - ✔✔exhaling forcefully but slowly to move secretions
chest physiotherapy (CPT) - ✔✔a series of maneuvers including percussion, vibration, and postural
drainage designed to promote clearance of excessive respiratory secretions
nasal cannula - ✔✔1-6 L/min
24-44% FiO2
simple mask - ✔✔5-8 L/min
REVIEW 2026/2027
oxygenation - ✔✔mechanism that facilitates or impairs the body's ability to supply oxygen to cells
hypoxemia - ✔✔inadequate oxygenation of blood
hypoxia - ✔✔inadequate oxygenation of tissues
where is the location of gas exchange in the body? - ✔✔alveoli
the most sensitive area to decreased oxygen is: - ✔✔the brain
women have lower concentrations of ________ and ___________, which may affect oxygenation -
✔✔hematocrit & hemoglobin
carbon monoxide poisoning - ✔✔occurs when CO binds to hemoglobin in place of O2 (competitive
inhibition; blood is fully oxygenated but body cannot use O2)
mild/early signs of alterations in oxygenation - ✔✔fatigue, restlessness, discomfort, irritability,
tachycardia/tachypnea, confusion
late signs of alterations in oxygenation - ✔✔bradycardia, hypotension, extreme restlessness, cyanosis,
dyspnea
hypoxia in children (FINES) - ✔✔feeding difficulty, inspiratory stridor, nares flare, expiratory grunting,
sternal retractions
eupnea - ✔✔normal breathing
dyspnea - ✔✔difficulty breathing
tachypnea - ✔✔fast breathing (>20 breaths per minute)
bradypnea - ✔✔slow breathing (<12 breaths per minute)
apnea - ✔✔absence of breathing
orthopnea - ✔✔difficulty breathing when supine
inspiration - ✔✔active movement of intercostal muscles to expand the ribs, which creates negative
pressure inside the lungs and pulls air in
expiration - ✔✔passive relaxation of intercostals that moves air out of the lungs
compliance - ✔✔ease with which the lungs expand
, recoil - ✔✔ease with which the lungs return to resting position
ventilation - ✔✔movement of air in and out of the lungs (gas exchange)
crackles (rales) can be heard in which disorders - ✔✔bronchiectasis, bronchitis, pneumonia, fibrosis,
CHF
crackles (rales) indicate - ✔✔alveolar fluid movement (fluid in the lungs)
wheezes indicate - ✔✔upper airway narrowing
wheezes can be heard in which disorders - ✔✔asthma, COPD, & other airway obstructive disorders
rhonchi suggests - ✔✔secretions in the large airways
ABC - ✔✔airway, breathing, circulation
airway (ABC) - ✔✔ensuring that the airway is patent and air is flowing in and out of the lungs regularly
breathing (ABC) - ✔✔air is moving down to the alveoli for gas exchange properly
circulation (ABC) - ✔✔body tissues are being perfused with oxygenated blood and CO2 is being
expelled
which medication class should NEVER be administered to a patient with a respiratory/oxygenation
disorder? - ✔✔respiratory depression
possible independent interventions for respiratory patients - ✔✔postural adjustments
activity tolerance/promotion of rest
promotion of secretion clearance (coughing)
suctioning to remove secretions
increasing fluid intake to thin and loosen secretions
breathing therapy
high fowler's position is ideal for - ✔✔dyspneic patients
pursed lip breathing may help - ✔✔COPD patients
huff cough - ✔✔exhaling forcefully but slowly to move secretions
chest physiotherapy (CPT) - ✔✔a series of maneuvers including percussion, vibration, and postural
drainage designed to promote clearance of excessive respiratory secretions
nasal cannula - ✔✔1-6 L/min
24-44% FiO2
simple mask - ✔✔5-8 L/min
