NSG 3130 EXAM 2 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS COMPREHE… EXAM
P R O F E S S I O N A L P R A C T I C E M AT E R I A L S
NSG 3130 Exam 2 Questions
and Answers
Comprehensive Updated
2026/2027
Verified Answers Exam Ready 120 QUESTIONS
DOCUMENT OVERVIEW
This document provides 120 comprehensive questions and answers for NSG 3130, including
detailed feedback that explains the correct responses. It covers essential concepts in
respiratory and upper airway nursing care. This resource is ideal for in-depth study, exam
review, and certification preparation to ensure mastery of the subject matter.
TOPICS
• Upper Airway Anatomy & Conditions • Physiology & Pathophysiology
• Lower Airway & Lung Conditions • Diagnostic & Assessment Tools
• COPD & Emphysema • Asthma & Bronchiectasis
Page 1
, E XA M Q U EST I O N S
Q1 QUESTION 1 OF 120
A patient is having her tonsils removed. The patient asks the nurse what function the tonsils
normally serve. Which of the following would be the most accurate response?
A) The tonsils separate your windpipe from your throat when you swallow.
B) The tonsils help to guard the body from invasion of organisms.
C) The tonsils make enzymes that you swallow and which aid with digestion.
D) The tonsils help with regulating the airflow down into your lungs.
RESPONSE
Ans: B
Feedback:
The tonsils, the adenoids, and other lymphoid tissue encircle the throat. These structures are
important links in the chain of lymph nodes guarding the body from invasion of organisms
entering the nose and throat. The tonsils do not aid digestion, separate the trachea from the
esophagus, or regulate airflow to the bronchi.
Q2 QUESTION 2 OF 120
A patient asks the nurse why an infection in his upper respiratory system is affecting the
clarity of his speech. Which structure serves as the patient's resonating chamber in speech?
A) Trachea
B) Pharynx
C) Paranasal sinuses
D) Larynx
RESPONSE
Ans: C
Feedback:
A prominent function of the sinuses is to serve as a resonating chamber in speech. The trachea,
also known as the windpipe, serves as the passage between the larynx and the bronchi. The
pharynx is a tubelike structure that connects the nasal and oral cavities to the larynx. The
pharynx also functions as a passage for the respiratory and digestive tracts. The major function
of the larynx is vocalization through the function of the vocal cords. The vocal cords are
ligaments controlled by muscular movements that produce sound.
Page 2
, Q3 QUESTION 3 OF 120
A patient with a decreased level of consciousness is in a recumbent position. How should
the nurse best assess the lung fields for a patient in this position?
A) Inform the physician that the patient is in a recumbent position and anticipate an order
for a portable chest x-ray.
B) Turn the patient to enable assessment of all the patient's lung fields.
C) Avoid turning the patient, and assess the accessible breath sounds from the anterior
chest wall.
D) Obtain a pulse oximetry reading, and, if the reading is low, reposition the patient and
auscultate breath sounds.
RESPONSE
Ans: B
Feedback:
Assessment of the anterior and posterior lung fields is part of the nurse's routine evaluation. If
the patient is recumbent, it is essential to turn the patient to assess all lung fields so that
dependent areas can be assessed for breath sounds, including the presence of normal breath
sounds and adventitious sounds. Failure to examine the dependent areas of the lungs can result
in missing significant findings. This makes the other given options unacceptable.
Q4 QUESTION 4 OF 120
The nurse doing rounds at the beginning of a shift notices a sputum specimen in a container
sitting on the bedside table in a patient's room. The nurse asks the patient when he
produced the sputum specimen and he states that the specimen is about 4 hours old. What
action should the nurse take?
A) Immediately take the sputum specimen to the laboratory.
B) Discard the specimen and assist the patient in obtaining another specimen.
C) Refrigerate the sputum specimen and submit it once it is chilled.
D) Add a small amount of normal saline to moisten the specimen.
RESPONSE
Ans: B
Feedback:
Sputum samples should be submitted to the laboratory as soon as possible. Allowing the
specimen to stand for several hours in a warm room results in the overgrowth of contaminated
organisms and may make it difficult to identify the pathogenic organisms. Refrigeration of the
sputum specimen and the addition of normal saline are not appropriate actions.
Page 3
, Q5 QUESTION 5 OF 120
The nurse is assessing a newly admitted medical patient and notes there is a depression in
the lower portion of the patient's sternum. This patient's health record should note the
presence of what chest deformity?
A) A barrel chest
B) A funnel chest
C) A pigeon chest
D) Kyphoscoliosis
RESPONSE
Ans: B
Feedback:
A funnel chest occurs when there is a depression in the lower portion of the sternum, and this
may lead to compression of the heart and great vessels, resulting in murmurs. A barrel chest is
characterized by an increase in the anteroposterior diameter of the thorax and is a result of
overinflation of the lungs. A pigeon chest occurs as a result of displacement of the sternum and
includes an increase in the anteroposterior diameter. Kyphoscoliosis, which is characterized by
elevation of the scapula and a corresponding S-shaped spine, limits lung expansion within the
thorax.
Q6 QUESTION 6 OF 120
A patient visiting the clinic is diagnosed with acute sinusitis. To promote sinus drainage, the
nurse should instruct the patient to perform which of the following?
A) Apply a cold pack to the affected area.
B) Apply a mustard poultice to the forehead.
C) Perform postural drainage.
D) Increase fluid intake.
RESPONSE
Ans: D
Feedback:
For a patient diagnosed with acute sinusitis, the nurse should instruct the patient that hot
packs, increasing fluid intake, and elevating the head of the bed can promote drainage.
Applying a mustard poultice will not promote sinus drainage. Postural drainage is used to
remove bronchial secretions.
Page 4
P R O F E S S I O N A L P R A C T I C E M AT E R I A L S
NSG 3130 Exam 2 Questions
and Answers
Comprehensive Updated
2026/2027
Verified Answers Exam Ready 120 QUESTIONS
DOCUMENT OVERVIEW
This document provides 120 comprehensive questions and answers for NSG 3130, including
detailed feedback that explains the correct responses. It covers essential concepts in
respiratory and upper airway nursing care. This resource is ideal for in-depth study, exam
review, and certification preparation to ensure mastery of the subject matter.
TOPICS
• Upper Airway Anatomy & Conditions • Physiology & Pathophysiology
• Lower Airway & Lung Conditions • Diagnostic & Assessment Tools
• COPD & Emphysema • Asthma & Bronchiectasis
Page 1
, E XA M Q U EST I O N S
Q1 QUESTION 1 OF 120
A patient is having her tonsils removed. The patient asks the nurse what function the tonsils
normally serve. Which of the following would be the most accurate response?
A) The tonsils separate your windpipe from your throat when you swallow.
B) The tonsils help to guard the body from invasion of organisms.
C) The tonsils make enzymes that you swallow and which aid with digestion.
D) The tonsils help with regulating the airflow down into your lungs.
RESPONSE
Ans: B
Feedback:
The tonsils, the adenoids, and other lymphoid tissue encircle the throat. These structures are
important links in the chain of lymph nodes guarding the body from invasion of organisms
entering the nose and throat. The tonsils do not aid digestion, separate the trachea from the
esophagus, or regulate airflow to the bronchi.
Q2 QUESTION 2 OF 120
A patient asks the nurse why an infection in his upper respiratory system is affecting the
clarity of his speech. Which structure serves as the patient's resonating chamber in speech?
A) Trachea
B) Pharynx
C) Paranasal sinuses
D) Larynx
RESPONSE
Ans: C
Feedback:
A prominent function of the sinuses is to serve as a resonating chamber in speech. The trachea,
also known as the windpipe, serves as the passage between the larynx and the bronchi. The
pharynx is a tubelike structure that connects the nasal and oral cavities to the larynx. The
pharynx also functions as a passage for the respiratory and digestive tracts. The major function
of the larynx is vocalization through the function of the vocal cords. The vocal cords are
ligaments controlled by muscular movements that produce sound.
Page 2
, Q3 QUESTION 3 OF 120
A patient with a decreased level of consciousness is in a recumbent position. How should
the nurse best assess the lung fields for a patient in this position?
A) Inform the physician that the patient is in a recumbent position and anticipate an order
for a portable chest x-ray.
B) Turn the patient to enable assessment of all the patient's lung fields.
C) Avoid turning the patient, and assess the accessible breath sounds from the anterior
chest wall.
D) Obtain a pulse oximetry reading, and, if the reading is low, reposition the patient and
auscultate breath sounds.
RESPONSE
Ans: B
Feedback:
Assessment of the anterior and posterior lung fields is part of the nurse's routine evaluation. If
the patient is recumbent, it is essential to turn the patient to assess all lung fields so that
dependent areas can be assessed for breath sounds, including the presence of normal breath
sounds and adventitious sounds. Failure to examine the dependent areas of the lungs can result
in missing significant findings. This makes the other given options unacceptable.
Q4 QUESTION 4 OF 120
The nurse doing rounds at the beginning of a shift notices a sputum specimen in a container
sitting on the bedside table in a patient's room. The nurse asks the patient when he
produced the sputum specimen and he states that the specimen is about 4 hours old. What
action should the nurse take?
A) Immediately take the sputum specimen to the laboratory.
B) Discard the specimen and assist the patient in obtaining another specimen.
C) Refrigerate the sputum specimen and submit it once it is chilled.
D) Add a small amount of normal saline to moisten the specimen.
RESPONSE
Ans: B
Feedback:
Sputum samples should be submitted to the laboratory as soon as possible. Allowing the
specimen to stand for several hours in a warm room results in the overgrowth of contaminated
organisms and may make it difficult to identify the pathogenic organisms. Refrigeration of the
sputum specimen and the addition of normal saline are not appropriate actions.
Page 3
, Q5 QUESTION 5 OF 120
The nurse is assessing a newly admitted medical patient and notes there is a depression in
the lower portion of the patient's sternum. This patient's health record should note the
presence of what chest deformity?
A) A barrel chest
B) A funnel chest
C) A pigeon chest
D) Kyphoscoliosis
RESPONSE
Ans: B
Feedback:
A funnel chest occurs when there is a depression in the lower portion of the sternum, and this
may lead to compression of the heart and great vessels, resulting in murmurs. A barrel chest is
characterized by an increase in the anteroposterior diameter of the thorax and is a result of
overinflation of the lungs. A pigeon chest occurs as a result of displacement of the sternum and
includes an increase in the anteroposterior diameter. Kyphoscoliosis, which is characterized by
elevation of the scapula and a corresponding S-shaped spine, limits lung expansion within the
thorax.
Q6 QUESTION 6 OF 120
A patient visiting the clinic is diagnosed with acute sinusitis. To promote sinus drainage, the
nurse should instruct the patient to perform which of the following?
A) Apply a cold pack to the affected area.
B) Apply a mustard poultice to the forehead.
C) Perform postural drainage.
D) Increase fluid intake.
RESPONSE
Ans: D
Feedback:
For a patient diagnosed with acute sinusitis, the nurse should instruct the patient that hot
packs, increasing fluid intake, and elevating the head of the bed can promote drainage.
Applying a mustard poultice will not promote sinus drainage. Postural drainage is used to
remove bronchial secretions.
Page 4
