NUR 185 Exam 1 & Final Exam Bundle 2026/2027 | Hondros
College | Practice Questions, Answers & Detailed Rationales
Section 1: Gas Exchange, Oxygenation & Respiratory Care
1. A client with hypoxemia is most likely to demonstrate which
finding?
A. Bradycardia
B. Restlessness and confusion
C. Warm, flushed skin
D. Increased appetite
Answer: B
Rationale: Early hypoxemia commonly causes restlessness, anxiety, and
altered mental status as the brain receives inadequate oxygen.
2. Which oxygen-delivery device provides the most precise low-flow
oxygen concentration?
A. Simple face mask
B. Venturi mask
C. Nonrebreather mask
D. Face tent
Answer: B
Rationale: A Venturi mask delivers a controlled, precise FiO₂ and is
especially useful when exact oxygen concentrations are required.
3. Which assessment finding is most concerning in a client receiving
oxygen?
,A. Dry nasal passages
B. Mild headache
C. Increasing confusion and cyanosis
D. Mild throat irritation
Answer: C
Rationale: Confusion and cyanosis indicate significant oxygenation
impairment and require immediate assessment and intervention.
4. A nurse is caring for a client with a chest tube. What is the primary
purpose of the system?
A. Deliver oxygen
B. Remove air or fluid from the pleural space
C. Administer IV medication
D. Measure cardiac output
Answer: B
Rationale: Chest tubes restore negative intrapleural pressure by
removing air, blood, or fluid from the pleural space.
5. Continuous bubbling in the water-seal chamber of a chest-drainage
system usually indicates:
A. Normal lung expansion
B. An air leak
C. Tube obstruction
D. Excessive suction
Answer: B
Rationale: Continuous bubbling generally indicates an air leak
somewhere in the system and should prompt assessment of
connections and the insertion site.
,6. Tidaling in the water-seal chamber generally indicates:
A. The system is functioning with pressure changes
B. The chest tube is completely obstructed
C. The client has severe hypoxemia
D. Suction is disconnected
Answer: A
Rationale: Tidaling reflects changes in intrathoracic pressure during
respiration.
7. Which action is appropriate when a chest tube becomes
accidentally disconnected from the drainage system?
A. Leave the tube open to air
B. Place the end of the tube in sterile water
C. Clamp the tube for 30 minutes
D. Remove the tube immediately
Answer: B
Rationale: Placing the tube end in sterile water temporarily recreates a
water seal while a new drainage system is obtained.
8. Which finding after chest-tube insertion requires immediate
attention?
A. Mild insertion-site discomfort
B. Tidaling
C. Sudden severe dyspnea
D. Small amount of drainage
, Answer: C
Rationale: Sudden severe dyspnea may indicate recurrent or worsening
pneumothorax, tube malfunction, or another acute complication.
9. Which intervention helps reduce ventilator-associated pneumonia?
A. Keeping the client completely supine
B. Providing oral care and elevating the head of the bed
C. Avoiding suctioning
D. Limiting hand hygiene
Answer: B
Rationale: Elevating the head of the bed and providing appropriate oral
care reduce aspiration and bacterial colonization.
10. A high-pressure ventilator alarm may indicate:
A. Disconnection
B. Airway obstruction or secretions
C. Empty oxygen cylinder
D. Low respiratory rate only
Answer: B
Rationale: High-pressure alarms commonly occur when airway
resistance increases because of secretions, biting the tube,
bronchospasm, or decreased lung compliance.
11. A low-pressure ventilator alarm commonly suggests:
A. Airway obstruction
B. Increased secretions
C. Disconnection or cuff leak
D. Pulmonary edema
College | Practice Questions, Answers & Detailed Rationales
Section 1: Gas Exchange, Oxygenation & Respiratory Care
1. A client with hypoxemia is most likely to demonstrate which
finding?
A. Bradycardia
B. Restlessness and confusion
C. Warm, flushed skin
D. Increased appetite
Answer: B
Rationale: Early hypoxemia commonly causes restlessness, anxiety, and
altered mental status as the brain receives inadequate oxygen.
2. Which oxygen-delivery device provides the most precise low-flow
oxygen concentration?
A. Simple face mask
B. Venturi mask
C. Nonrebreather mask
D. Face tent
Answer: B
Rationale: A Venturi mask delivers a controlled, precise FiO₂ and is
especially useful when exact oxygen concentrations are required.
3. Which assessment finding is most concerning in a client receiving
oxygen?
,A. Dry nasal passages
B. Mild headache
C. Increasing confusion and cyanosis
D. Mild throat irritation
Answer: C
Rationale: Confusion and cyanosis indicate significant oxygenation
impairment and require immediate assessment and intervention.
4. A nurse is caring for a client with a chest tube. What is the primary
purpose of the system?
A. Deliver oxygen
B. Remove air or fluid from the pleural space
C. Administer IV medication
D. Measure cardiac output
Answer: B
Rationale: Chest tubes restore negative intrapleural pressure by
removing air, blood, or fluid from the pleural space.
5. Continuous bubbling in the water-seal chamber of a chest-drainage
system usually indicates:
A. Normal lung expansion
B. An air leak
C. Tube obstruction
D. Excessive suction
Answer: B
Rationale: Continuous bubbling generally indicates an air leak
somewhere in the system and should prompt assessment of
connections and the insertion site.
,6. Tidaling in the water-seal chamber generally indicates:
A. The system is functioning with pressure changes
B. The chest tube is completely obstructed
C. The client has severe hypoxemia
D. Suction is disconnected
Answer: A
Rationale: Tidaling reflects changes in intrathoracic pressure during
respiration.
7. Which action is appropriate when a chest tube becomes
accidentally disconnected from the drainage system?
A. Leave the tube open to air
B. Place the end of the tube in sterile water
C. Clamp the tube for 30 minutes
D. Remove the tube immediately
Answer: B
Rationale: Placing the tube end in sterile water temporarily recreates a
water seal while a new drainage system is obtained.
8. Which finding after chest-tube insertion requires immediate
attention?
A. Mild insertion-site discomfort
B. Tidaling
C. Sudden severe dyspnea
D. Small amount of drainage
, Answer: C
Rationale: Sudden severe dyspnea may indicate recurrent or worsening
pneumothorax, tube malfunction, or another acute complication.
9. Which intervention helps reduce ventilator-associated pneumonia?
A. Keeping the client completely supine
B. Providing oral care and elevating the head of the bed
C. Avoiding suctioning
D. Limiting hand hygiene
Answer: B
Rationale: Elevating the head of the bed and providing appropriate oral
care reduce aspiration and bacterial colonization.
10. A high-pressure ventilator alarm may indicate:
A. Disconnection
B. Airway obstruction or secretions
C. Empty oxygen cylinder
D. Low respiratory rate only
Answer: B
Rationale: High-pressure alarms commonly occur when airway
resistance increases because of secretions, biting the tube,
bronchospasm, or decreased lung compliance.
11. A low-pressure ventilator alarm commonly suggests:
A. Airway obstruction
B. Increased secretions
C. Disconnection or cuff leak
D. Pulmonary edema
