NCLEX RN Respiratory Disorders
Practice Exam 100 Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationales 2026
1. A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is receiving
oxygen therapy. Which oxygen delivery method is most appropriate for a
client who requires a precise, controlled oxygen concentration?
A. Nonrebreather mask
B. Simple face mask
C. Venturi mask
D. Partial-rebreather mask
Answer: Venturi mask
Rationale: A Venturi mask delivers a precise concentration of oxygen and is
commonly used for clients with COPD who require controlled oxygen therapy.
2. A nurse is assessing a client experiencing an acute asthma exacerbation.
Which finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Expiratory wheezing
B. Productive cough
C. Silent chest with minimal air movement
D. Respiratory rate of 24/min
Answer: Silent chest with minimal air movement
Rationale: A silent chest may indicate extremely limited airflow and
impending respiratory failure. It is a medical emergency requiring immediate
intervention.
,3. Which assessment finding is most characteristic of emphysema?
A. Increased tactile fremitus
B. Barrel-shaped chest
C. Dullness to percussion
D. Copious purulent sputum
Answer: Barrel-shaped chest
Rationale: Emphysema causes chronic air trapping and hyperinflation, which
can produce a barrel-shaped chest.
4. A client with pneumonia has a temperature of 39°C (102.2°F), respiratory
rate of 30/min, and oxygen saturation of 88%. Which intervention should the
nurse implement first?
A. Encourage oral fluids
B. Administer prescribed oxygen
C. Obtain a sputum specimen
D. Administer an antipyretic
Answer: Administer prescribed oxygen
Rationale: Hypoxemia is the priority. Oxygen should be administered
promptly to improve oxygenation before less urgent interventions.
5. A client with a chest tube suddenly becomes severely dyspneic. The chest
tube drainage system is intact, but there is no fluctuation in the water-seal
chamber. What should the nurse do first?
A. Clamp the chest tube
B. Assess the tubing for obstruction or kinking
C. Remove the chest tube
D. Increase wall suction
Answer: Assess the tubing for obstruction or kinking
,Rationale: A sudden absence of fluctuation accompanied by respiratory
distress may indicate an obstruction. The tubing should be assessed
immediately for kinks, dependent loops, or other blockage.
6. Which finding is expected in a client with a pneumothorax?
A. Bilateral crackles
B. Absent or markedly decreased breath sounds on the affected side
C. Increased breath sounds on the affected side
D. Bradycardia with hypertension
Answer: Absent or markedly decreased breath sounds on the affected side
Rationale: Air in the pleural space prevents normal lung expansion and
causes decreased or absent breath sounds on the affected side.
7. A client with tuberculosis is admitted to the hospital. Which infection-
control precaution is required?
A. Contact precautions
B. Droplet precautions
C. Airborne precautions
D. Protective isolation
Answer: Airborne precautions
Rationale: Pulmonary tuberculosis is transmitted through airborne particles.
The client should be placed in an appropriate airborne infection isolation
room, and healthcare personnel should use a fit-tested respirator.
8. Which symptom is most commonly associated with pulmonary
tuberculosis?
A. Sudden pleuritic chest pain
B. Persistent cough and night sweats
C. Bradycardia and syncope
D. Frothy pink sputum only
, Answer: Persistent cough and night sweats
Rationale: Pulmonary tuberculosis commonly causes a persistent cough,
fever, night sweats, fatigue, weight loss, and sometimes hemoptysis.
9. A client with asthma is prescribed albuterol. Which statement indicates
correct understanding of this medication?
A. “I will use it every morning whether I have symptoms or not.”
B. “It will provide rapid relief during an asthma attack.”
C. “It prevents all future asthma attacks.”
D. “It should be used instead of my inhaled corticosteroid.”
Answer: “It will provide rapid relief during an asthma attack.”
Rationale: Albuterol is a short-acting beta2-adrenergic agonist that provides
rapid bronchodilation for acute symptoms.
10. Which medication is considered a controller medication for persistent
asthma?
A. Albuterol
B. Ipratropium
C. Inhaled corticosteroid
D. Epinephrine
Answer: Inhaled corticosteroid
Rationale: Inhaled corticosteroids reduce airway inflammation and are key
long-term controller medications for persistent asthma.
11. A nurse is teaching a client how to use a metered-dose inhaler containing
a corticosteroid. Which instruction is most important?
A. “Take rapid breaths while spraying the medication.”
B. “Rinse your mouth after using the inhaler.”
Practice Exam 100 Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationales 2026
1. A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is receiving
oxygen therapy. Which oxygen delivery method is most appropriate for a
client who requires a precise, controlled oxygen concentration?
A. Nonrebreather mask
B. Simple face mask
C. Venturi mask
D. Partial-rebreather mask
Answer: Venturi mask
Rationale: A Venturi mask delivers a precise concentration of oxygen and is
commonly used for clients with COPD who require controlled oxygen therapy.
2. A nurse is assessing a client experiencing an acute asthma exacerbation.
Which finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Expiratory wheezing
B. Productive cough
C. Silent chest with minimal air movement
D. Respiratory rate of 24/min
Answer: Silent chest with minimal air movement
Rationale: A silent chest may indicate extremely limited airflow and
impending respiratory failure. It is a medical emergency requiring immediate
intervention.
,3. Which assessment finding is most characteristic of emphysema?
A. Increased tactile fremitus
B. Barrel-shaped chest
C. Dullness to percussion
D. Copious purulent sputum
Answer: Barrel-shaped chest
Rationale: Emphysema causes chronic air trapping and hyperinflation, which
can produce a barrel-shaped chest.
4. A client with pneumonia has a temperature of 39°C (102.2°F), respiratory
rate of 30/min, and oxygen saturation of 88%. Which intervention should the
nurse implement first?
A. Encourage oral fluids
B. Administer prescribed oxygen
C. Obtain a sputum specimen
D. Administer an antipyretic
Answer: Administer prescribed oxygen
Rationale: Hypoxemia is the priority. Oxygen should be administered
promptly to improve oxygenation before less urgent interventions.
5. A client with a chest tube suddenly becomes severely dyspneic. The chest
tube drainage system is intact, but there is no fluctuation in the water-seal
chamber. What should the nurse do first?
A. Clamp the chest tube
B. Assess the tubing for obstruction or kinking
C. Remove the chest tube
D. Increase wall suction
Answer: Assess the tubing for obstruction or kinking
,Rationale: A sudden absence of fluctuation accompanied by respiratory
distress may indicate an obstruction. The tubing should be assessed
immediately for kinks, dependent loops, or other blockage.
6. Which finding is expected in a client with a pneumothorax?
A. Bilateral crackles
B. Absent or markedly decreased breath sounds on the affected side
C. Increased breath sounds on the affected side
D. Bradycardia with hypertension
Answer: Absent or markedly decreased breath sounds on the affected side
Rationale: Air in the pleural space prevents normal lung expansion and
causes decreased or absent breath sounds on the affected side.
7. A client with tuberculosis is admitted to the hospital. Which infection-
control precaution is required?
A. Contact precautions
B. Droplet precautions
C. Airborne precautions
D. Protective isolation
Answer: Airborne precautions
Rationale: Pulmonary tuberculosis is transmitted through airborne particles.
The client should be placed in an appropriate airborne infection isolation
room, and healthcare personnel should use a fit-tested respirator.
8. Which symptom is most commonly associated with pulmonary
tuberculosis?
A. Sudden pleuritic chest pain
B. Persistent cough and night sweats
C. Bradycardia and syncope
D. Frothy pink sputum only
, Answer: Persistent cough and night sweats
Rationale: Pulmonary tuberculosis commonly causes a persistent cough,
fever, night sweats, fatigue, weight loss, and sometimes hemoptysis.
9. A client with asthma is prescribed albuterol. Which statement indicates
correct understanding of this medication?
A. “I will use it every morning whether I have symptoms or not.”
B. “It will provide rapid relief during an asthma attack.”
C. “It prevents all future asthma attacks.”
D. “It should be used instead of my inhaled corticosteroid.”
Answer: “It will provide rapid relief during an asthma attack.”
Rationale: Albuterol is a short-acting beta2-adrenergic agonist that provides
rapid bronchodilation for acute symptoms.
10. Which medication is considered a controller medication for persistent
asthma?
A. Albuterol
B. Ipratropium
C. Inhaled corticosteroid
D. Epinephrine
Answer: Inhaled corticosteroid
Rationale: Inhaled corticosteroids reduce airway inflammation and are key
long-term controller medications for persistent asthma.
11. A nurse is teaching a client how to use a metered-dose inhaler containing
a corticosteroid. Which instruction is most important?
A. “Take rapid breaths while spraying the medication.”
B. “Rinse your mouth after using the inhaler.”
