,NSG 233 Exam 3 Medical-Surgical Nursing III Questions And
Answers 2026/2027 Herzing University
Q1. Which finding indicates that a client may require mechanical ventilation?
A) PaO2 of 58 mm Hg despite supplemental oxygen
B) Respiratory rate of 16/min with no distress
C) Oxygen saturation of 98% on room air
D) Normal arterial pH and ventilation
Correct Answer: A) PaO2 of 58 mm Hg despite supplemental oxygen
Rationale: Significant hypoxemia that cannot be corrected adequately with
oxygen therapy is an indication for mechanical ventilatory support.
Q2. Which additional finding supports the need for mechanical ventilation?
A) Severe respiratory muscle fatigue
B) Normal respiratory effort
C) Mild nasal congestion
D) Normal oxygenation
Correct Answer: A) Severe respiratory muscle fatigue
Rationale: Mechanical ventilation may be necessary when respiratory
muscles can no longer sustain adequate ventilation.
Q3. Which ventilator mode provides a preset number of breaths while
allowing the client to breathe spontaneously between mandatory breaths?
A) SIMV
B) CPAP only
C) T-piece
D) Pressure support only
Correct Answer: A) SIMV
Rationale: Synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation provides
mandatory breaths while allowing spontaneous breaths between them.
Q4. What does PEEP accomplish during mechanical ventilation?
A) Keeps alveoli open at the end of expiration
B) Eliminates the need for oxygen
C) Prevents all carbon dioxide production
D) Decreases alveolar recruitment
Correct Answer: A) Keeps alveoli open at the end of expiration
Rationale: PEEP maintains positive pressure after exhalation, reducing
alveolar collapse and improving oxygenation.
Q5. A mechanically ventilated client has coarse crackles and increased
secretions. Which action is appropriate?
, A) Assess the need for suctioning.
B) Increase oral fluid restriction.
C) Lower the head of the bed.
D) Turn off the ventilator alarms.
Correct Answer: A) Assess the need for suctioning.
Rationale: Adventitious breath sounds and visible secretions can indicate
airway obstruction requiring suctioning.
Q6. Which position is generally appropriate for a mechanically ventilated
client unless contraindicated?
A) Head of bed elevated at least 30 degrees
B) Flat supine
C) Trendelenburg
D) Prone at all times
Correct Answer: A) Head of bed elevated at least 30 degrees
Rationale: Elevating the head of the bed helps reduce aspiration risk and
ventilator-associated pneumonia.
Q7. Which ventilator alarm should prompt immediate assessment of the
client and airway?
A) High-pressure alarm
B) Low battery alarm only
C) Routine maintenance alarm
D) Room-temperature alarm
Correct Answer: A) High-pressure alarm
Rationale: A high-pressure alarm can indicate secretions, airway
obstruction, biting of the tube, decreased compliance, or other potentially
serious problems.
Q8. A high-pressure ventilator alarm sounds. Which cause should the nurse
consider?
A) Increased airway resistance from secretions
B) Disconnected tubing
C) Empty oxygen tank only
D) Low respiratory effort
Correct Answer: A) Increased airway resistance from secretions
Rationale: Secretions can obstruct the airway and increase the pressure
required to deliver a breath.
Q9. A ventilator's low-pressure alarm sounds. Which cause is most likely?
A) Disconnection in the ventilator circuit
B) Excessive secretions
Answers 2026/2027 Herzing University
Q1. Which finding indicates that a client may require mechanical ventilation?
A) PaO2 of 58 mm Hg despite supplemental oxygen
B) Respiratory rate of 16/min with no distress
C) Oxygen saturation of 98% on room air
D) Normal arterial pH and ventilation
Correct Answer: A) PaO2 of 58 mm Hg despite supplemental oxygen
Rationale: Significant hypoxemia that cannot be corrected adequately with
oxygen therapy is an indication for mechanical ventilatory support.
Q2. Which additional finding supports the need for mechanical ventilation?
A) Severe respiratory muscle fatigue
B) Normal respiratory effort
C) Mild nasal congestion
D) Normal oxygenation
Correct Answer: A) Severe respiratory muscle fatigue
Rationale: Mechanical ventilation may be necessary when respiratory
muscles can no longer sustain adequate ventilation.
Q3. Which ventilator mode provides a preset number of breaths while
allowing the client to breathe spontaneously between mandatory breaths?
A) SIMV
B) CPAP only
C) T-piece
D) Pressure support only
Correct Answer: A) SIMV
Rationale: Synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation provides
mandatory breaths while allowing spontaneous breaths between them.
Q4. What does PEEP accomplish during mechanical ventilation?
A) Keeps alveoli open at the end of expiration
B) Eliminates the need for oxygen
C) Prevents all carbon dioxide production
D) Decreases alveolar recruitment
Correct Answer: A) Keeps alveoli open at the end of expiration
Rationale: PEEP maintains positive pressure after exhalation, reducing
alveolar collapse and improving oxygenation.
Q5. A mechanically ventilated client has coarse crackles and increased
secretions. Which action is appropriate?
, A) Assess the need for suctioning.
B) Increase oral fluid restriction.
C) Lower the head of the bed.
D) Turn off the ventilator alarms.
Correct Answer: A) Assess the need for suctioning.
Rationale: Adventitious breath sounds and visible secretions can indicate
airway obstruction requiring suctioning.
Q6. Which position is generally appropriate for a mechanically ventilated
client unless contraindicated?
A) Head of bed elevated at least 30 degrees
B) Flat supine
C) Trendelenburg
D) Prone at all times
Correct Answer: A) Head of bed elevated at least 30 degrees
Rationale: Elevating the head of the bed helps reduce aspiration risk and
ventilator-associated pneumonia.
Q7. Which ventilator alarm should prompt immediate assessment of the
client and airway?
A) High-pressure alarm
B) Low battery alarm only
C) Routine maintenance alarm
D) Room-temperature alarm
Correct Answer: A) High-pressure alarm
Rationale: A high-pressure alarm can indicate secretions, airway
obstruction, biting of the tube, decreased compliance, or other potentially
serious problems.
Q8. A high-pressure ventilator alarm sounds. Which cause should the nurse
consider?
A) Increased airway resistance from secretions
B) Disconnected tubing
C) Empty oxygen tank only
D) Low respiratory effort
Correct Answer: A) Increased airway resistance from secretions
Rationale: Secretions can obstruct the airway and increase the pressure
required to deliver a breath.
Q9. A ventilator's low-pressure alarm sounds. Which cause is most likely?
A) Disconnection in the ventilator circuit
B) Excessive secretions
