Nursing 354 Pneumonia Exam
Questions And Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A
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1. Which assessment finding is most characteristic of pneumonia?
A. Bradycardia and peripheral edema
B. Fever, productive cough, and crackles
C. Painless hematuria
D. Hyperactive bowel sounds
Answer: B. Fever, productive cough, and crackles
Rationale: Pneumonia commonly causes infection-related fever, cough, sputum
production, and adventitious breath sounds such as crackles.
2. Which organism is a common cause of community-acquired bacterial
pneumonia?
A. Candida albicans
B. Escherichia coli
C. Streptococcus pneumoniae
D. Clostridioides difficile
Answer: C. Streptococcus pneumoniae
,Rationale: Streptococcus pneumoniae is a major cause of community-acquired
bacterial pneumonia.
3. Which clinical manifestation should the nurse expect in a patient with
pneumonia?
A. Dyspnea
B. Polyuria
C. Constipation
D. Painless jaundice
Answer: A. Dyspnea
Rationale: Inflammation and fluid within the alveoli can impair gas exchange
and cause shortness of breath.
4. Which diagnostic test is commonly used to confirm pneumonia?
A. Electrocardiogram
B. Colonoscopy
C. Abdominal ultrasound
D. Chest radiograph
Answer: D. Chest radiograph
Rationale: A chest radiograph can demonstrate pulmonary infiltrates consistent
with pneumonia.
5. A patient with pneumonia has an oxygen saturation of 86%. What is the
nurse's priority action?
A. Encourage oral fluids
B. Obtain a sputum specimen
,C. Administer supplemental oxygen as prescribed
D. Encourage ambulation
Answer: C. Administer supplemental oxygen as prescribed
Rationale: Significant hypoxemia requires prompt attention to oxygenation,
which is an immediate priority.
6. Which assessment finding suggests impaired oxygenation in a patient with
pneumonia?
A. Warm skin
B. Cyanosis and restlessness
C. Increased appetite
D. Bradykinesia
Answer: B. Cyanosis and restlessness
Rationale: Restlessness may be an early sign of hypoxemia, while cyanosis can
indicate significant oxygenation impairment.
7. Which intervention helps mobilize respiratory secretions in a patient with
pneumonia?
A. Restrict all fluids
B. Maintain strict bed rest
C. Encourage adequate hydration when not contraindicated
D. Avoid coughing
Answer: C. Encourage adequate hydration when not contraindicated
Rationale: Adequate hydration can help thin respiratory secretions, making
them easier to expectorate.
, 8. Which positioning is generally helpful for a patient experiencing difficulty
breathing from pneumonia?
A. Flat supine
B. Trendelenburg
C. Prone with the head flat
D. High-Fowler's position
Answer: D. High-Fowler's position
Rationale: Elevating the head of the bed promotes lung expansion and can
decrease the work of breathing.
9. Which finding would require immediate nursing intervention in a patient with
pneumonia?
A. Mild fatigue
B. Productive cough
C. Temperature of 37.8°C
D. Increasing respiratory distress
Answer: D. Increasing respiratory distress
Rationale: Worsening respiratory distress can indicate deteriorating gas
exchange and possible respiratory failure.
10. Why might a sputum culture be obtained before antibiotic therapy?
A. To determine hydration status
B. To identify the causative organism and guide antibiotic selection
C. To measure pulmonary capacity
D. To determine blood glucose
Answer: B. To identify the causative organism and guide antibiotic selection
Questions And Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A
Instant Download Pdf
1. Which assessment finding is most characteristic of pneumonia?
A. Bradycardia and peripheral edema
B. Fever, productive cough, and crackles
C. Painless hematuria
D. Hyperactive bowel sounds
Answer: B. Fever, productive cough, and crackles
Rationale: Pneumonia commonly causes infection-related fever, cough, sputum
production, and adventitious breath sounds such as crackles.
2. Which organism is a common cause of community-acquired bacterial
pneumonia?
A. Candida albicans
B. Escherichia coli
C. Streptococcus pneumoniae
D. Clostridioides difficile
Answer: C. Streptococcus pneumoniae
,Rationale: Streptococcus pneumoniae is a major cause of community-acquired
bacterial pneumonia.
3. Which clinical manifestation should the nurse expect in a patient with
pneumonia?
A. Dyspnea
B. Polyuria
C. Constipation
D. Painless jaundice
Answer: A. Dyspnea
Rationale: Inflammation and fluid within the alveoli can impair gas exchange
and cause shortness of breath.
4. Which diagnostic test is commonly used to confirm pneumonia?
A. Electrocardiogram
B. Colonoscopy
C. Abdominal ultrasound
D. Chest radiograph
Answer: D. Chest radiograph
Rationale: A chest radiograph can demonstrate pulmonary infiltrates consistent
with pneumonia.
5. A patient with pneumonia has an oxygen saturation of 86%. What is the
nurse's priority action?
A. Encourage oral fluids
B. Obtain a sputum specimen
,C. Administer supplemental oxygen as prescribed
D. Encourage ambulation
Answer: C. Administer supplemental oxygen as prescribed
Rationale: Significant hypoxemia requires prompt attention to oxygenation,
which is an immediate priority.
6. Which assessment finding suggests impaired oxygenation in a patient with
pneumonia?
A. Warm skin
B. Cyanosis and restlessness
C. Increased appetite
D. Bradykinesia
Answer: B. Cyanosis and restlessness
Rationale: Restlessness may be an early sign of hypoxemia, while cyanosis can
indicate significant oxygenation impairment.
7. Which intervention helps mobilize respiratory secretions in a patient with
pneumonia?
A. Restrict all fluids
B. Maintain strict bed rest
C. Encourage adequate hydration when not contraindicated
D. Avoid coughing
Answer: C. Encourage adequate hydration when not contraindicated
Rationale: Adequate hydration can help thin respiratory secretions, making
them easier to expectorate.
, 8. Which positioning is generally helpful for a patient experiencing difficulty
breathing from pneumonia?
A. Flat supine
B. Trendelenburg
C. Prone with the head flat
D. High-Fowler's position
Answer: D. High-Fowler's position
Rationale: Elevating the head of the bed promotes lung expansion and can
decrease the work of breathing.
9. Which finding would require immediate nursing intervention in a patient with
pneumonia?
A. Mild fatigue
B. Productive cough
C. Temperature of 37.8°C
D. Increasing respiratory distress
Answer: D. Increasing respiratory distress
Rationale: Worsening respiratory distress can indicate deteriorating gas
exchange and possible respiratory failure.
10. Why might a sputum culture be obtained before antibiotic therapy?
A. To determine hydration status
B. To identify the causative organism and guide antibiotic selection
C. To measure pulmonary capacity
D. To determine blood glucose
Answer: B. To identify the causative organism and guide antibiotic selection
