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Nursing 354 Oxygenation Exam
Questions And Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A
Instant Download Pdf
___________________________________________________________________
1. A nurse is assessing a patient for impaired oxygenation. Which finding is
most concerning?
A. Respiratory rate of 16 breaths/min
B. Oxygen saturation of 98%
C. New-onset confusion
D. Warm, dry skin
Answer: C. New-onset confusion
Rationale: New-onset confusion can indicate inadequate oxygen delivery to the
brain and requires prompt assessment.
2. Which oxygen saturation is generally considered within the expected range
for a healthy adult?
A. 70%
B. 82%
C. 90%
D. 97%
Answer: D. 97%
,Rationale: A healthy adult commonly has an oxygen saturation of approximately
95%–100%, although individual targets may differ.
3. Which assessment finding is most consistent with hypoxemia?
A. Cyanosis
B. Bradycardia with hypertension
C. Increased urine output
D. Warm extremities
Answer: A. Cyanosis
Rationale: Cyanosis may occur when oxygenation is significantly impaired,
although it is a late and relatively insensitive sign of hypoxemia.
4. A patient is experiencing dyspnea. Which position should the nurse use to
promote lung expansion?
A. Supine
B. High-Fowler's
C. Trendelenburg
D. Sims'
Answer: B. High-Fowler's
Rationale: High-Fowler's positioning promotes maximal chest expansion and can
decrease the work of breathing.
5. Which device delivers oxygen through small prongs inserted into the nares?
A. Simple face mask
B. Venturi mask
C. Nasal cannula
D. Nonrebreather mask
Answer: C. Nasal cannula
Rationale: A nasal cannula delivers supplemental oxygen through two small
prongs placed in the patient's nostrils.
, 6. A nurse is caring for a patient receiving oxygen through a nasal cannula.
Which intervention is appropriate?
A. Apply petroleum jelly to the nares
B. Assess the skin around the ears and nose
C. Remove the oxygen during sleep
D. Keep the flow rate above the prescribed amount
Answer: B. Assess the skin around the ears and nose
Rationale: Oxygen tubing can cause pressure and irritation, so the nurse should
regularly inspect the skin around the ears and nares.
7. Which oxygen-delivery device provides a precise concentration of oxygen?
A. Venturi mask
B. Nasal cannula
C. Simple face mask
D. Partial-rebreather mask
Answer: A. Venturi mask
Rationale: A Venturi mask uses adapters to deliver a controlled and relatively
precise oxygen concentration.
8. Which finding indicates increased work of breathing?
A. Use of accessory muscles
B. Respiratory rate of 14 breaths/min
C. Relaxed shoulders
D. Regular respiratory pattern
Answer: A. Use of accessory muscles
Rationale: Use of accessory muscles indicates increased respiratory effort and
may signal respiratory distress.
9. What is the primary purpose of pulmonary ventilation?
, A. Transport oxygen through the blood
B. Move air into and out of the lungs
C. Pump blood to systemic tissues
D. Exchange glucose for carbon dioxide
Answer: B. Move air into and out of the lungs
Rationale: Ventilation is the movement of air between the atmosphere and the
alveoli.
10.Gas exchange between the alveoli and pulmonary capillaries is called:
A. Ventilation
B. Perfusion
C. External respiration
D. Internal respiration
Answer: C. External respiration
Rationale: External respiration is the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide
between alveolar air and pulmonary capillary blood.
11.Which condition can decrease oxygen diffusion across the alveolar-capillary
membrane?
A. Pulmonary edema
B. Increased hemoglobin
C. Normal ventilation
D. Increased alveolar surface area
Answer: A. Pulmonary edema
Rationale: Fluid in the alveoli increases the diffusion distance and interferes with
efficient oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange.
12.Which blood component primarily transports oxygen?
A. Platelets
B. Plasma proteins
Nursing 354 Oxygenation Exam
Questions And Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A
Instant Download Pdf
___________________________________________________________________
1. A nurse is assessing a patient for impaired oxygenation. Which finding is
most concerning?
A. Respiratory rate of 16 breaths/min
B. Oxygen saturation of 98%
C. New-onset confusion
D. Warm, dry skin
Answer: C. New-onset confusion
Rationale: New-onset confusion can indicate inadequate oxygen delivery to the
brain and requires prompt assessment.
2. Which oxygen saturation is generally considered within the expected range
for a healthy adult?
A. 70%
B. 82%
C. 90%
D. 97%
Answer: D. 97%
,Rationale: A healthy adult commonly has an oxygen saturation of approximately
95%–100%, although individual targets may differ.
3. Which assessment finding is most consistent with hypoxemia?
A. Cyanosis
B. Bradycardia with hypertension
C. Increased urine output
D. Warm extremities
Answer: A. Cyanosis
Rationale: Cyanosis may occur when oxygenation is significantly impaired,
although it is a late and relatively insensitive sign of hypoxemia.
4. A patient is experiencing dyspnea. Which position should the nurse use to
promote lung expansion?
A. Supine
B. High-Fowler's
C. Trendelenburg
D. Sims'
Answer: B. High-Fowler's
Rationale: High-Fowler's positioning promotes maximal chest expansion and can
decrease the work of breathing.
5. Which device delivers oxygen through small prongs inserted into the nares?
A. Simple face mask
B. Venturi mask
C. Nasal cannula
D. Nonrebreather mask
Answer: C. Nasal cannula
Rationale: A nasal cannula delivers supplemental oxygen through two small
prongs placed in the patient's nostrils.
, 6. A nurse is caring for a patient receiving oxygen through a nasal cannula.
Which intervention is appropriate?
A. Apply petroleum jelly to the nares
B. Assess the skin around the ears and nose
C. Remove the oxygen during sleep
D. Keep the flow rate above the prescribed amount
Answer: B. Assess the skin around the ears and nose
Rationale: Oxygen tubing can cause pressure and irritation, so the nurse should
regularly inspect the skin around the ears and nares.
7. Which oxygen-delivery device provides a precise concentration of oxygen?
A. Venturi mask
B. Nasal cannula
C. Simple face mask
D. Partial-rebreather mask
Answer: A. Venturi mask
Rationale: A Venturi mask uses adapters to deliver a controlled and relatively
precise oxygen concentration.
8. Which finding indicates increased work of breathing?
A. Use of accessory muscles
B. Respiratory rate of 14 breaths/min
C. Relaxed shoulders
D. Regular respiratory pattern
Answer: A. Use of accessory muscles
Rationale: Use of accessory muscles indicates increased respiratory effort and
may signal respiratory distress.
9. What is the primary purpose of pulmonary ventilation?
, A. Transport oxygen through the blood
B. Move air into and out of the lungs
C. Pump blood to systemic tissues
D. Exchange glucose for carbon dioxide
Answer: B. Move air into and out of the lungs
Rationale: Ventilation is the movement of air between the atmosphere and the
alveoli.
10.Gas exchange between the alveoli and pulmonary capillaries is called:
A. Ventilation
B. Perfusion
C. External respiration
D. Internal respiration
Answer: C. External respiration
Rationale: External respiration is the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide
between alveolar air and pulmonary capillary blood.
11.Which condition can decrease oxygen diffusion across the alveolar-capillary
membrane?
A. Pulmonary edema
B. Increased hemoglobin
C. Normal ventilation
D. Increased alveolar surface area
Answer: A. Pulmonary edema
Rationale: Fluid in the alveoli increases the diffusion distance and interferes with
efficient oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange.
12.Which blood component primarily transports oxygen?
A. Platelets
B. Plasma proteins
