___________________________________________________________________
Nursing 354 Respiratory Nursing
Practice Exam Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A Instant Download
Pdf
___________________________________________________________________
1. A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is receiving
oxygen therapy. Which oxygen delivery method is most appropriate when a
precise oxygen concentration is needed?
A. Nonrebreather mask
B. Venturi mask
C. Simple face mask
D. Nasal cannula
Answer: Venturi mask
Rationale: A Venturi mask delivers a controlled and precise fraction of inspired
oxygen, making it particularly useful for clients with COPD who may be sensitive
to excessive oxygen administration.
2. A nurse is assessing a client experiencing an acute asthma exacerbation.
Which finding requires the most immediate intervention?
,A. Expiratory wheezing
B. Productive cough
C. Silent chest with minimal air movement
D. Respiratory rate of 24/min
Answer: Silent chest with minimal air movement
Rationale: A silent chest may indicate extremely poor airflow and impending
respiratory failure. This is a medical emergency requiring immediate
intervention.
3. Which assessment finding is most characteristic of hypoxemia?
A. Bradycardia
B. Cyanosis
C. Increased appetite
D. Warm, flushed skin
Answer: Cyanosis
Rationale: Cyanosis can occur when oxygen saturation is significantly reduced. It
is a late and concerning sign of hypoxemia.
4. A client with pneumonia has thick respiratory secretions. Which nursing
intervention best promotes secretion clearance?
A. Restrict oral fluids
B. Encourage adequate hydration
C. Maintain strict bed rest
D. Avoid coughing
Answer: Encourage adequate hydration
Rationale: Adequate hydration helps thin respiratory secretions, making them
easier to mobilize and expectorate.
5. Which breath sound is commonly associated with fluid or secretions in the
smaller airways?
,A. Crackles
B. Pleural friction rub
C. Stridor
D. Bronchial sounds
Answer: Crackles
Rationale: Crackles are discontinuous sounds often associated with fluid in the
alveoli or small airways, such as in pneumonia or pulmonary edema.
6. A client with asthma is prescribed albuterol. What is the primary
therapeutic effect of this medication?
A. Decreases mucus production permanently
B. Dilates the bronchi
C. Suppresses bacterial growth
D. Reduces pulmonary edema
Answer: Dilates the bronchi
Rationale: Albuterol is a short-acting beta₂-adrenergic agonist that relaxes
bronchial smooth muscle and produces bronchodilation.
7. Which finding is most concerning in a client with severe respiratory
distress?
A. Restlessness and confusion
B. Respiratory rate of 20/min
C. Mild cough
D. Oxygen saturation of 98%
Answer: Restlessness and confusion
Rationale: Restlessness, confusion, and changes in level of consciousness can
indicate inadequate cerebral oxygenation and worsening respiratory failure.
8. Which position should the nurse place a client in to promote maximum lung
expansion?
, A. Supine
B. Prone
C. High-Fowler's
D. Trendelenburg
Answer: High-Fowler's
Rationale: High-Fowler's positioning allows greater chest expansion and
improves diaphragmatic movement, facilitating ventilation.
9. A nurse is teaching a client how to use an incentive spirometer. Which
instruction is correct?
A. Exhale forcefully into the device
B. Inhale slowly and deeply through the mouthpiece
C. Use the device only when experiencing dyspnea
D. Breathe rapidly through the mouthpiece
Answer: Inhale slowly and deeply through the mouthpiece
Rationale: Incentive spirometry encourages sustained maximal inspiration,
helping prevent atelectasis and promote alveolar expansion.
10.Which condition is characterized by inflammation and narrowing of the
airways with reversible airflow obstruction?
A. Asthma
B. Pulmonary embolism
C. Pneumothorax
D. Tuberculosis
Answer: Asthma
Rationale: Asthma involves airway inflammation, bronchial
hyperresponsiveness, and reversible bronchoconstriction.
11.A client with COPD asks why pursed-lip breathing is recommended. What
should the nurse explain?
Nursing 354 Respiratory Nursing
Practice Exam Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A Instant Download
___________________________________________________________________
1. A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is receiving
oxygen therapy. Which oxygen delivery method is most appropriate when a
precise oxygen concentration is needed?
A. Nonrebreather mask
B. Venturi mask
C. Simple face mask
D. Nasal cannula
Answer: Venturi mask
Rationale: A Venturi mask delivers a controlled and precise fraction of inspired
oxygen, making it particularly useful for clients with COPD who may be sensitive
to excessive oxygen administration.
2. A nurse is assessing a client experiencing an acute asthma exacerbation.
Which finding requires the most immediate intervention?
,A. Expiratory wheezing
B. Productive cough
C. Silent chest with minimal air movement
D. Respiratory rate of 24/min
Answer: Silent chest with minimal air movement
Rationale: A silent chest may indicate extremely poor airflow and impending
respiratory failure. This is a medical emergency requiring immediate
intervention.
3. Which assessment finding is most characteristic of hypoxemia?
A. Bradycardia
B. Cyanosis
C. Increased appetite
D. Warm, flushed skin
Answer: Cyanosis
Rationale: Cyanosis can occur when oxygen saturation is significantly reduced. It
is a late and concerning sign of hypoxemia.
4. A client with pneumonia has thick respiratory secretions. Which nursing
intervention best promotes secretion clearance?
A. Restrict oral fluids
B. Encourage adequate hydration
C. Maintain strict bed rest
D. Avoid coughing
Answer: Encourage adequate hydration
Rationale: Adequate hydration helps thin respiratory secretions, making them
easier to mobilize and expectorate.
5. Which breath sound is commonly associated with fluid or secretions in the
smaller airways?
,A. Crackles
B. Pleural friction rub
C. Stridor
D. Bronchial sounds
Answer: Crackles
Rationale: Crackles are discontinuous sounds often associated with fluid in the
alveoli or small airways, such as in pneumonia or pulmonary edema.
6. A client with asthma is prescribed albuterol. What is the primary
therapeutic effect of this medication?
A. Decreases mucus production permanently
B. Dilates the bronchi
C. Suppresses bacterial growth
D. Reduces pulmonary edema
Answer: Dilates the bronchi
Rationale: Albuterol is a short-acting beta₂-adrenergic agonist that relaxes
bronchial smooth muscle and produces bronchodilation.
7. Which finding is most concerning in a client with severe respiratory
distress?
A. Restlessness and confusion
B. Respiratory rate of 20/min
C. Mild cough
D. Oxygen saturation of 98%
Answer: Restlessness and confusion
Rationale: Restlessness, confusion, and changes in level of consciousness can
indicate inadequate cerebral oxygenation and worsening respiratory failure.
8. Which position should the nurse place a client in to promote maximum lung
expansion?
, A. Supine
B. Prone
C. High-Fowler's
D. Trendelenburg
Answer: High-Fowler's
Rationale: High-Fowler's positioning allows greater chest expansion and
improves diaphragmatic movement, facilitating ventilation.
9. A nurse is teaching a client how to use an incentive spirometer. Which
instruction is correct?
A. Exhale forcefully into the device
B. Inhale slowly and deeply through the mouthpiece
C. Use the device only when experiencing dyspnea
D. Breathe rapidly through the mouthpiece
Answer: Inhale slowly and deeply through the mouthpiece
Rationale: Incentive spirometry encourages sustained maximal inspiration,
helping prevent atelectasis and promote alveolar expansion.
10.Which condition is characterized by inflammation and narrowing of the
airways with reversible airflow obstruction?
A. Asthma
B. Pulmonary embolism
C. Pneumothorax
D. Tuberculosis
Answer: Asthma
Rationale: Asthma involves airway inflammation, bronchial
hyperresponsiveness, and reversible bronchoconstriction.
11.A client with COPD asks why pursed-lip breathing is recommended. What
should the nurse explain?
