,NSG 3800 Exam 2 Nursing Practice – Adult Health II Questions And
Answers 2026/2027 Galen College
Q1. Which finding most strongly indicates impaired oxygenation in
an adult patient?
A) Mild thirst
B) Restlessness and new confusion
C) Warm, dry skin
D) Increased appetite
Correct Answer: B) Restlessness and new confusion
Rationale: Early cerebral effects of hypoxemia can include restlessness,
anxiety, confusion, and changes in level of consciousness.
Q2. Which assessment finding is most characteristic of an
obstructive respiratory disorder?
A) Increased difficulty exhaling
B) Reduced chest expansion from spinal deformity
C) Decreased total lung capacity only
D) Complete absence of airway secretions
Correct Answer: A) Increased difficulty exhaling
Rationale: Obstructive disorders increase resistance to airflow, particularly
during expiration, because narrowed airways make it difficult to move air out
of the lungs.
Q3. A patient with COPD has an increased respiratory rate,
accessory-muscle use, and falling oxygen saturation. Which
intervention should the nurse prioritize?
A) Place the patient upright and support oxygenation.
B) Encourage the patient to lie flat.
C) Offer a large meal.
D) Restrict all activity indefinitely.
Correct Answer: A) Place the patient upright and support oxygenation.
Rationale: Upright positioning improves chest expansion and can reduce
work of breathing while oxygenation and ventilation are assessed and
supported.
Q4. Which manifestation is most associated with chronic bronchitis?
,A) Sudden unilateral absent breath sounds
B) Productive cough with increased mucus production
C) Isolated pleuritic pain
D) Complete absence of sputum
Correct Answer: B) Productive cough with increased mucus production
Rationale: Chronic bronchitis is characterized by chronic airway
inflammation and mucus hypersecretion, commonly producing a persistent
productive cough.
Q5. Which finding is more characteristic of emphysema than chronic
bronchitis?
A) Large amounts of purulent sputum as the defining feature
B) Barrel chest and prolonged expiration
C) Recurrent hemoptysis as the primary sign
D) Sudden high fever
Correct Answer: B) Barrel chest and prolonged expiration
Rationale: Emphysema involves destruction of alveolar walls and air
trapping, commonly producing hyperinflation, barrel chest, dyspnea, and
prolonged expiration.
Q6. Which medication is a short-acting beta2 agonist used for rapid
bronchodilation?
A) Budesonide
B) Albuterol
C) Prednisone
D) Ipratropium only
Correct Answer: B) Albuterol
Rationale: Albuterol rapidly relaxes bronchial smooth muscle and is used for
quick relief of bronchospasm.
Q7. Which instruction is appropriate for a patient using an inhaled
corticosteroid such as budesonide?
A) Use it only during sudden severe bronchospasm.
B) Rinse the mouth after inhalation.
C) Stop the medication when symptoms improve for one day.
D) Use it instead of all rescue medications.
, Correct Answer: B) Rinse the mouth after inhalation.
Rationale: Rinsing after inhaled corticosteroid use reduces medication
residue in the mouth and lowers the risk of oral candidiasis.
Q8. Which adverse effect should the nurse monitor for after
albuterol administration?
A) Bradycardia
B) Tremor and tachycardia
C) Severe constipation
D) Urinary retention in every patient
Correct Answer: B) Tremor and tachycardia
Rationale: Beta2-agonists can cause tremor, palpitations, tachycardia, and
anxiety because of sympathetic stimulation.
Q9. Which medication is classified as a systemic corticosteroid that
may be used during an acute COPD exacerbation?
A) Prednisone
B) Albuterol
C) Ipratropium
D) Guaifenesin
Correct Answer: A) Prednisone
Rationale: Systemic corticosteroids reduce airway inflammation during
acute exacerbations and can improve airflow and recovery.
Q10. Which intervention promotes secretion clearance in a patient
with chronic respiratory disease?
A) Restrict hydration without an indication.
B) Encourage effective coughing and appropriate hydration.
C) Keep the patient on strict bed rest.
D) Avoid respiratory therapy.
Correct Answer: B) Encourage effective coughing and appropriate hydration.
Rationale: Adequate hydration can help thin secretions, while effective
coughing and respiratory therapy improve airway clearance.
Q11. Which assessment finding is most consistent with
pneumothorax?
Answers 2026/2027 Galen College
Q1. Which finding most strongly indicates impaired oxygenation in
an adult patient?
A) Mild thirst
B) Restlessness and new confusion
C) Warm, dry skin
D) Increased appetite
Correct Answer: B) Restlessness and new confusion
Rationale: Early cerebral effects of hypoxemia can include restlessness,
anxiety, confusion, and changes in level of consciousness.
Q2. Which assessment finding is most characteristic of an
obstructive respiratory disorder?
A) Increased difficulty exhaling
B) Reduced chest expansion from spinal deformity
C) Decreased total lung capacity only
D) Complete absence of airway secretions
Correct Answer: A) Increased difficulty exhaling
Rationale: Obstructive disorders increase resistance to airflow, particularly
during expiration, because narrowed airways make it difficult to move air out
of the lungs.
Q3. A patient with COPD has an increased respiratory rate,
accessory-muscle use, and falling oxygen saturation. Which
intervention should the nurse prioritize?
A) Place the patient upright and support oxygenation.
B) Encourage the patient to lie flat.
C) Offer a large meal.
D) Restrict all activity indefinitely.
Correct Answer: A) Place the patient upright and support oxygenation.
Rationale: Upright positioning improves chest expansion and can reduce
work of breathing while oxygenation and ventilation are assessed and
supported.
Q4. Which manifestation is most associated with chronic bronchitis?
,A) Sudden unilateral absent breath sounds
B) Productive cough with increased mucus production
C) Isolated pleuritic pain
D) Complete absence of sputum
Correct Answer: B) Productive cough with increased mucus production
Rationale: Chronic bronchitis is characterized by chronic airway
inflammation and mucus hypersecretion, commonly producing a persistent
productive cough.
Q5. Which finding is more characteristic of emphysema than chronic
bronchitis?
A) Large amounts of purulent sputum as the defining feature
B) Barrel chest and prolonged expiration
C) Recurrent hemoptysis as the primary sign
D) Sudden high fever
Correct Answer: B) Barrel chest and prolonged expiration
Rationale: Emphysema involves destruction of alveolar walls and air
trapping, commonly producing hyperinflation, barrel chest, dyspnea, and
prolonged expiration.
Q6. Which medication is a short-acting beta2 agonist used for rapid
bronchodilation?
A) Budesonide
B) Albuterol
C) Prednisone
D) Ipratropium only
Correct Answer: B) Albuterol
Rationale: Albuterol rapidly relaxes bronchial smooth muscle and is used for
quick relief of bronchospasm.
Q7. Which instruction is appropriate for a patient using an inhaled
corticosteroid such as budesonide?
A) Use it only during sudden severe bronchospasm.
B) Rinse the mouth after inhalation.
C) Stop the medication when symptoms improve for one day.
D) Use it instead of all rescue medications.
, Correct Answer: B) Rinse the mouth after inhalation.
Rationale: Rinsing after inhaled corticosteroid use reduces medication
residue in the mouth and lowers the risk of oral candidiasis.
Q8. Which adverse effect should the nurse monitor for after
albuterol administration?
A) Bradycardia
B) Tremor and tachycardia
C) Severe constipation
D) Urinary retention in every patient
Correct Answer: B) Tremor and tachycardia
Rationale: Beta2-agonists can cause tremor, palpitations, tachycardia, and
anxiety because of sympathetic stimulation.
Q9. Which medication is classified as a systemic corticosteroid that
may be used during an acute COPD exacerbation?
A) Prednisone
B) Albuterol
C) Ipratropium
D) Guaifenesin
Correct Answer: A) Prednisone
Rationale: Systemic corticosteroids reduce airway inflammation during
acute exacerbations and can improve airflow and recovery.
Q10. Which intervention promotes secretion clearance in a patient
with chronic respiratory disease?
A) Restrict hydration without an indication.
B) Encourage effective coughing and appropriate hydration.
C) Keep the patient on strict bed rest.
D) Avoid respiratory therapy.
Correct Answer: B) Encourage effective coughing and appropriate hydration.
Rationale: Adequate hydration can help thin secretions, while effective
coughing and respiratory therapy improve airway clearance.
Q11. Which assessment finding is most consistent with
pneumothorax?
