NURS 120 Assessment 4 – Respiratory Nursing 2026 UPDATE 2026 Update • Verified Answers
✓ VERIFIED • 2026 UPDATE • 100% ACCURATE
NURS 120 Assessment 4 – Respiratory Nursing 2026
UPDATE
Actual Exam Questions & Verified Answers
with Detailed Rationales
Document Type: Exam (Elaborations)
Academic Year:
Total Questions: 50 Multiple Choice
Includes: Correct Answers + Full Rationales
Status: Verified & Updated for 2026
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 1
,NURS 120 Assessment 4 – Respiratory Nursing 2026 UPDATE 2026 Update • Verified Answers
Questions & Verified Answers
1. A nurse is assessing a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Which of
the following findings is most characteristic of this condition?
A. Stridor during inspiration
B. Acute onset of high-fever and chills
C. Absence of breath sounds in the lower lobes
D. . Which of the following findings is most characteristic of this condition?
Answer: D
Rationale: A barrel chest, or increased anteroposterior diameter, is a classic sign of COPD due to air trapping
in the alveoli. Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish this concept from closely related distractors,
making a clear rationale essential for mastery. Applying this knowledge in clinical settings supports safe,
evidence-based practice and improves patient outcomes.
2. Which arterial blood gas (ABG) result is most consistent with a patient experiencing early
stage respiratory failure due to hyperventilation?
A. pH 7.30, PaCO2 55, HCO3 26
B. pH 7.35, PaCO2 40, HCO3 24
C. pH 7.52, PaCO2 28, HCO3 24
D. pH 7.25, PaCO2 35, HCO3 18
Answer: C
Rationale: Hyperventilation leads to the excessive loss of CO2, resulting in respiratory alkalosis (high pH, low
PaCO2). Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish this concept from closely related distractors,
making a clear rationale essential for mastery. Applying this knowledge in clinical settings supports safe,
evidence-based practice and improves patient outcomes.
3. A nurse is caring for a patient who just underwent a thoracentesis. Which assessment
finding should be reported to the provider immediately?
A. Diminished breath sounds on the affected side
B. Slight tenderness at the needle insertion site
C. A respiratory rate of 18 breaths per minute
D. SpO2 of 95% on room air
Answer: A
Rationale: Diminished breath sounds after thoracentesis can indicate a pneumothorax, a serious complication
of the procedure. Recognizing this principle allows the nurse to prioritize care, anticipate complications, and
provide accurate patient education. Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish this concept from closely
related distractors, making a clear rationale essential for mastery.
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 2
, NURS 120 Assessment 4 – Respiratory Nursing 2026 UPDATE 2026 Update • Verified Answers
4. When suctioning a patient with an endotracheal tube, what is the maximum amount of time
the nurse should apply suction?
A. 5 seconds
B. 10 to 15 seconds
C. 20 to 25 seconds
D. 30 seconds
Answer: B
Rationale: Suctioning should be limited to 10-15 seconds to prevent hypoxia and mucosal damage. Applying
this knowledge in clinical settings supports safe, evidence-based practice and improves patient outcomes. This
is an important clinical concept because selecting the correct answer (B) requires understanding both the
pathophysiology and the practical nursing implications.
5. A patient with a pulmonary embolism is receiving a continuous heparin infusion. Which
laboratory value will the nurse monitor to adjust the dosage?
A. Prothrombin time (PT)
B. International Normalized Ratio (INR)
C. Platelet count
D. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
Answer: D
Rationale: The aPTT is the standard laboratory test used to monitor the effectiveness and safety of heparin
therapy. This is an important clinical concept because selecting the correct answer (D) requires understanding
both the pathophysiology and the practical nursing implications. Recognizing this principle allows the nurse to
prioritize care, anticipate complications, and provide accurate patient education.
6. Which oxygen delivery device is most appropriate for a patient who requires a specific,
precise oxygen concentration, such as 24% or 28%?
A. Venturi mask
B. Simple face mask
C. Non-rebreather mask
D. Nasal cannula
Answer: A
Rationale: The Venturi mask is designed to deliver a very precise concentration of oxygen by mixing room air
with a specific flow of oxygen. Applying this knowledge in clinical settings supports safe, evidence-based
practice and improves patient outcomes. This is an important clinical concept because selecting the correct
answer (A) requires understanding both the pathophysiology and the practical nursing implications.
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 3
✓ VERIFIED • 2026 UPDATE • 100% ACCURATE
NURS 120 Assessment 4 – Respiratory Nursing 2026
UPDATE
Actual Exam Questions & Verified Answers
with Detailed Rationales
Document Type: Exam (Elaborations)
Academic Year:
Total Questions: 50 Multiple Choice
Includes: Correct Answers + Full Rationales
Status: Verified & Updated for 2026
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 1
,NURS 120 Assessment 4 – Respiratory Nursing 2026 UPDATE 2026 Update • Verified Answers
Questions & Verified Answers
1. A nurse is assessing a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Which of
the following findings is most characteristic of this condition?
A. Stridor during inspiration
B. Acute onset of high-fever and chills
C. Absence of breath sounds in the lower lobes
D. . Which of the following findings is most characteristic of this condition?
Answer: D
Rationale: A barrel chest, or increased anteroposterior diameter, is a classic sign of COPD due to air trapping
in the alveoli. Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish this concept from closely related distractors,
making a clear rationale essential for mastery. Applying this knowledge in clinical settings supports safe,
evidence-based practice and improves patient outcomes.
2. Which arterial blood gas (ABG) result is most consistent with a patient experiencing early
stage respiratory failure due to hyperventilation?
A. pH 7.30, PaCO2 55, HCO3 26
B. pH 7.35, PaCO2 40, HCO3 24
C. pH 7.52, PaCO2 28, HCO3 24
D. pH 7.25, PaCO2 35, HCO3 18
Answer: C
Rationale: Hyperventilation leads to the excessive loss of CO2, resulting in respiratory alkalosis (high pH, low
PaCO2). Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish this concept from closely related distractors,
making a clear rationale essential for mastery. Applying this knowledge in clinical settings supports safe,
evidence-based practice and improves patient outcomes.
3. A nurse is caring for a patient who just underwent a thoracentesis. Which assessment
finding should be reported to the provider immediately?
A. Diminished breath sounds on the affected side
B. Slight tenderness at the needle insertion site
C. A respiratory rate of 18 breaths per minute
D. SpO2 of 95% on room air
Answer: A
Rationale: Diminished breath sounds after thoracentesis can indicate a pneumothorax, a serious complication
of the procedure. Recognizing this principle allows the nurse to prioritize care, anticipate complications, and
provide accurate patient education. Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish this concept from closely
related distractors, making a clear rationale essential for mastery.
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 2
, NURS 120 Assessment 4 – Respiratory Nursing 2026 UPDATE 2026 Update • Verified Answers
4. When suctioning a patient with an endotracheal tube, what is the maximum amount of time
the nurse should apply suction?
A. 5 seconds
B. 10 to 15 seconds
C. 20 to 25 seconds
D. 30 seconds
Answer: B
Rationale: Suctioning should be limited to 10-15 seconds to prevent hypoxia and mucosal damage. Applying
this knowledge in clinical settings supports safe, evidence-based practice and improves patient outcomes. This
is an important clinical concept because selecting the correct answer (B) requires understanding both the
pathophysiology and the practical nursing implications.
5. A patient with a pulmonary embolism is receiving a continuous heparin infusion. Which
laboratory value will the nurse monitor to adjust the dosage?
A. Prothrombin time (PT)
B. International Normalized Ratio (INR)
C. Platelet count
D. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
Answer: D
Rationale: The aPTT is the standard laboratory test used to monitor the effectiveness and safety of heparin
therapy. This is an important clinical concept because selecting the correct answer (D) requires understanding
both the pathophysiology and the practical nursing implications. Recognizing this principle allows the nurse to
prioritize care, anticipate complications, and provide accurate patient education.
6. Which oxygen delivery device is most appropriate for a patient who requires a specific,
precise oxygen concentration, such as 24% or 28%?
A. Venturi mask
B. Simple face mask
C. Non-rebreather mask
D. Nasal cannula
Answer: A
Rationale: The Venturi mask is designed to deliver a very precise concentration of oxygen by mixing room air
with a specific flow of oxygen. Applying this knowledge in clinical settings supports safe, evidence-based
practice and improves patient outcomes. This is an important clinical concept because selecting the correct
answer (A) requires understanding both the pathophysiology and the practical nursing implications.
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 3
