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ATI Respiratory Disorders Practice Exam
Preparation With Complete Questions And Correct
Answers With Rationales Already Graded A+ Brand
New Version!!
1. A nurse is providing teaching to a client with COPD about pursed-lip
breathing. Which of the following should be included as the primary
purpose of this technique?
A. To strengthen the intercostal muscles
B. To increase the respiratory rate to blow off CO2
C. To promote rapid intake of oxygen
D. To prevent airway collapse during exhalation
Answer: D
Rationale: Pursed-lip breathing prolongs exhalation and creates positive
airway pressure, which prevents the small airways from collapsing,
thereby facilitating more effective CO2 removal.
2. A client with pneumonia has a prescription for a sputum culture and
sensitivity. When is the best time for the nurse to collect this specimen?
A. Immediately after the client finishes a meal
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B. After the client has used an incentive spirometer
C. In the morning as soon as the client awakens
D. Right before the client goes to sleep
Answer: C
Rationale: Sputum specimens are best collected in the morning because
secretions pool in the lungs overnight, making it easier for the client to
cough up a deep-lung sample.
3. Which clinical finding is considered a hallmark sign of Acute
Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)?
A. Hypercapnia that improves with supplemental oxygen
B. Refractory hypoxemia
C. Bradypnea with shallow respirations
D. Increased lung compliance
Answer: B
Rationale: Refractory hypoxemia, which is low arterial oxygen levels
that do not improve even with high concentrations of supplemental
oxygen, is a hallmark sign of ARDS.
4. A nurse is assessing a client with emphysema. Which of the following
findings should the nurse expect?
A. Narrowed chest diameter
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B. Decreased chest expansion
C. Increased tactile fremitus
D. Clubbing of the fingers
Answer: D
Rationale: Chronic hypoxemia in COPD/emphysema leads to clubbing of
the fingers. A barrel chest (increased AP diameter) is also expected,
rather than a narrowed diameter.
5. A nurse is caring for a client with ARDS who is being mechanically
ventilated. Why is prone positioning often used for this client?
A. To decrease the risk of aspiration
B. To reduce the need for sedation
C. To improve oxygenation by mobilizing secretions and expanding
dorsal lung areas
D. To increase the cardiac output
Answer: C
Rationale: Prone positioning (lying on the stomach) helps recruit
collapsed alveoli in the posterior lung fields and improves the
ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) ratio.
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6. A nurse is caring for a client admitted with community-acquired
pneumonia. Which assessment finding requires the nurse's immediate
intervention?
A. Temperature of 38.5°C (101.3°F)
B. Productive cough with rust-colored sputum
C. Respiratory rate of 32/min with oxygen saturation of 84% on 2 L/min
nasal cannula
D. White blood cell count of 16,000/mm³
E. Crackles in the right lower lung field
Answer: C
Rationale: Hypoxemia accompanied by tachypnea indicates impaired
gas exchange requiring immediate intervention. Increasing oxygen
support, further respiratory assessment, and provider notification are
priorities. Fever, productive cough, leukocytosis, and localized crackles
are expected findings in pneumonia but are less immediately life-
threatening.
7. A nurse is assessing a client who has chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease (COPD). Which finding should the nurse expect?
A. Barrel-shaped chest
B. Bradycardia
C. Decreased anterior-posterior chest diameter
D. Pink frothy sputum
ATI Respiratory Disorders Practice Exam
Preparation With Complete Questions And Correct
Answers With Rationales Already Graded A+ Brand
New Version!!
1. A nurse is providing teaching to a client with COPD about pursed-lip
breathing. Which of the following should be included as the primary
purpose of this technique?
A. To strengthen the intercostal muscles
B. To increase the respiratory rate to blow off CO2
C. To promote rapid intake of oxygen
D. To prevent airway collapse during exhalation
Answer: D
Rationale: Pursed-lip breathing prolongs exhalation and creates positive
airway pressure, which prevents the small airways from collapsing,
thereby facilitating more effective CO2 removal.
2. A client with pneumonia has a prescription for a sputum culture and
sensitivity. When is the best time for the nurse to collect this specimen?
A. Immediately after the client finishes a meal
,2|Page
B. After the client has used an incentive spirometer
C. In the morning as soon as the client awakens
D. Right before the client goes to sleep
Answer: C
Rationale: Sputum specimens are best collected in the morning because
secretions pool in the lungs overnight, making it easier for the client to
cough up a deep-lung sample.
3. Which clinical finding is considered a hallmark sign of Acute
Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)?
A. Hypercapnia that improves with supplemental oxygen
B. Refractory hypoxemia
C. Bradypnea with shallow respirations
D. Increased lung compliance
Answer: B
Rationale: Refractory hypoxemia, which is low arterial oxygen levels
that do not improve even with high concentrations of supplemental
oxygen, is a hallmark sign of ARDS.
4. A nurse is assessing a client with emphysema. Which of the following
findings should the nurse expect?
A. Narrowed chest diameter
,3|Page
B. Decreased chest expansion
C. Increased tactile fremitus
D. Clubbing of the fingers
Answer: D
Rationale: Chronic hypoxemia in COPD/emphysema leads to clubbing of
the fingers. A barrel chest (increased AP diameter) is also expected,
rather than a narrowed diameter.
5. A nurse is caring for a client with ARDS who is being mechanically
ventilated. Why is prone positioning often used for this client?
A. To decrease the risk of aspiration
B. To reduce the need for sedation
C. To improve oxygenation by mobilizing secretions and expanding
dorsal lung areas
D. To increase the cardiac output
Answer: C
Rationale: Prone positioning (lying on the stomach) helps recruit
collapsed alveoli in the posterior lung fields and improves the
ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) ratio.
, 4|Page
6. A nurse is caring for a client admitted with community-acquired
pneumonia. Which assessment finding requires the nurse's immediate
intervention?
A. Temperature of 38.5°C (101.3°F)
B. Productive cough with rust-colored sputum
C. Respiratory rate of 32/min with oxygen saturation of 84% on 2 L/min
nasal cannula
D. White blood cell count of 16,000/mm³
E. Crackles in the right lower lung field
Answer: C
Rationale: Hypoxemia accompanied by tachypnea indicates impaired
gas exchange requiring immediate intervention. Increasing oxygen
support, further respiratory assessment, and provider notification are
priorities. Fever, productive cough, leukocytosis, and localized crackles
are expected findings in pneumonia but are less immediately life-
threatening.
7. A nurse is assessing a client who has chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease (COPD). Which finding should the nurse expect?
A. Barrel-shaped chest
B. Bradycardia
C. Decreased anterior-posterior chest diameter
D. Pink frothy sputum
