RESPIRATORY EXAM MED-SURG QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
LATEST UPDATE 2027
Question 1.
The nurse is caring for a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) and
pneumonia who has an order for arterial blood gases to be drawn. What is the minimum
length of time the nurse should plan to hold pressure on the puncture site?
A. 2 minutes
B. 5 minutes
C. 10 minutes
D. 15 minutes
Correct Answer: B. 5 minutes
Explanation: After obtaining blood for an arterial blood gas measurement, the nurse
should hold pressure on the puncture site for 5 minutes by the clock to be sure that
bleeding has stopped. An artery is an elastic vessel under much higher pressure than
veins, and significant blood loss or hematoma formation could occur if the time is
insufficient.
Question 2.
A patient with a recent history of a dry cough has had a chest x-ray that revealed the
presence of nodules. In an effort to determine whether the nodules are malignant or
benign, what is the primary care provider likely to order?
A. Thoracentesis
B. Pulmonary angiogram
C. CT scan of the patient's chest
D. Positron emission tomography (PET)
Correct Answer: D. Positron emission tomography (PET)
Explanation: PET is used to distinguish benign and malignant pulmonary nodules.
Because malignant lung cells have an increased uptake of glucose, the PET scan (which
uses an IV radioactive glucose preparation) can demonstrate increased uptake of glucose
in malignant lung cells. This differentiation cannot be made using CT, a pulmonary
angiogram, or thoracentesis.
Question 3.
After assisting at the bedside with a thoracentesis, the nurse should continue to assess the
patient for signs and symptoms of what?
A. Bronchospasm
B. Pneumothorax
C. Pulmonary edema
D. Respiratory acidosis
, Correct Answer: B. Pneumothorax
Explanation: Because thoracentesis involves the introduction of a catheter into the
pleural space, there is a risk of pneumothorax. Thoracentesis does not carry a significant
potential for causing bronchospasm, pulmonary edema, or respiratory acidosis.
Question 4.
The patient had abdominal yesterday. Today the in the lower lobes The nurse knows this
to what occurring?
A. Pain
B. Atelectasis
C. Pneumonia
D. Pleural effusion
Correct Answer: surgery B. Atelectasis lung sounds Postoperatively there is an
increased risk for atelectasis have decreased. from anesthesia as well as
restricted breathing from could be due pain. Without deep breathing to stretch
the alveoli, surfactant secretion to hold the alveoli open is not promoted.
Pneumonia will occur later after surgery. Pleural effusion occurs because of
blockage of lymphatic drainage or an imbalance between intravascular and
oncotic fluid pressures, which is not expected in this case
Question 5.
The patient is hospitalized with pneumonia. Which diagnostic test should be used to
measure the efficiency of gas transfer in the lung and tissue oxygenation?
A. Thoracentesis
B. Bronchoscopy
C. Arterial blood gases
D. Pulmonary function tests
Correct Answer: C. Arterial blood gases
Explanation: Arterial blood gases are used to assess the efficiency of gas transfer in the
lung and tissue oxygenation as is pulse oximetry. Thoracentesis is used to obtain
specimens for diagnostic evaluation, remove pleural fluid, or instill medication into the
pleural space. Bronchoscopy is used for diagnostic purposes, to obtain biopsy specimens,
and to assess changes resulting from treatment. Pulmonary function tests measure lung
volumes and airflow to diagnose pulmonary disease, monitor dis-ease progression,
evaluate disability, and evaluate response to bronchodilators
Question 6.
The nurse is interpreting berculin skin test (TST) 58-year-old female end-stage kidney
disease ondary to diabetes finding would indicate action?
A. Acid-fast bacilli injection site
B. 15-mm area of redness injection site
LATEST UPDATE 2027
Question 1.
The nurse is caring for a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) and
pneumonia who has an order for arterial blood gases to be drawn. What is the minimum
length of time the nurse should plan to hold pressure on the puncture site?
A. 2 minutes
B. 5 minutes
C. 10 minutes
D. 15 minutes
Correct Answer: B. 5 minutes
Explanation: After obtaining blood for an arterial blood gas measurement, the nurse
should hold pressure on the puncture site for 5 minutes by the clock to be sure that
bleeding has stopped. An artery is an elastic vessel under much higher pressure than
veins, and significant blood loss or hematoma formation could occur if the time is
insufficient.
Question 2.
A patient with a recent history of a dry cough has had a chest x-ray that revealed the
presence of nodules. In an effort to determine whether the nodules are malignant or
benign, what is the primary care provider likely to order?
A. Thoracentesis
B. Pulmonary angiogram
C. CT scan of the patient's chest
D. Positron emission tomography (PET)
Correct Answer: D. Positron emission tomography (PET)
Explanation: PET is used to distinguish benign and malignant pulmonary nodules.
Because malignant lung cells have an increased uptake of glucose, the PET scan (which
uses an IV radioactive glucose preparation) can demonstrate increased uptake of glucose
in malignant lung cells. This differentiation cannot be made using CT, a pulmonary
angiogram, or thoracentesis.
Question 3.
After assisting at the bedside with a thoracentesis, the nurse should continue to assess the
patient for signs and symptoms of what?
A. Bronchospasm
B. Pneumothorax
C. Pulmonary edema
D. Respiratory acidosis
, Correct Answer: B. Pneumothorax
Explanation: Because thoracentesis involves the introduction of a catheter into the
pleural space, there is a risk of pneumothorax. Thoracentesis does not carry a significant
potential for causing bronchospasm, pulmonary edema, or respiratory acidosis.
Question 4.
The patient had abdominal yesterday. Today the in the lower lobes The nurse knows this
to what occurring?
A. Pain
B. Atelectasis
C. Pneumonia
D. Pleural effusion
Correct Answer: surgery B. Atelectasis lung sounds Postoperatively there is an
increased risk for atelectasis have decreased. from anesthesia as well as
restricted breathing from could be due pain. Without deep breathing to stretch
the alveoli, surfactant secretion to hold the alveoli open is not promoted.
Pneumonia will occur later after surgery. Pleural effusion occurs because of
blockage of lymphatic drainage or an imbalance between intravascular and
oncotic fluid pressures, which is not expected in this case
Question 5.
The patient is hospitalized with pneumonia. Which diagnostic test should be used to
measure the efficiency of gas transfer in the lung and tissue oxygenation?
A. Thoracentesis
B. Bronchoscopy
C. Arterial blood gases
D. Pulmonary function tests
Correct Answer: C. Arterial blood gases
Explanation: Arterial blood gases are used to assess the efficiency of gas transfer in the
lung and tissue oxygenation as is pulse oximetry. Thoracentesis is used to obtain
specimens for diagnostic evaluation, remove pleural fluid, or instill medication into the
pleural space. Bronchoscopy is used for diagnostic purposes, to obtain biopsy specimens,
and to assess changes resulting from treatment. Pulmonary function tests measure lung
volumes and airflow to diagnose pulmonary disease, monitor dis-ease progression,
evaluate disability, and evaluate response to bronchodilators
Question 6.
The nurse is interpreting berculin skin test (TST) 58-year-old female end-stage kidney
disease ondary to diabetes finding would indicate action?
A. Acid-fast bacilli injection site
B. 15-mm area of redness injection site
