III (MDC 3) EXAM 2 2026/2027 | 150
VERIFIED QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
WITH RATIONALES | RASMUSSEN
UNIVERSITY NURSING PREP – INSTANT
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Section 1: Respiratory System Disorders
1. A client with chronic bronchitis often shows signs of hypoxia. Which of the
following is the priority to monitor for in this client?
A) O2 levels
B) Barrel chest
C) Nutritional status
D) Clubbing of fingers
Correct Answer: A) O2 levels
Rationale: Monitoring oxygen saturation is the priority in a client with chronic
bronchitis and hypoxia. While barrel chest and clubbing are physical findings
associated with chronic respiratory disease, oxygen levels directly indicate the client's
respiratory status and guide immediate interventions.
2. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client recently diagnosed with
tuberculosis. Which statement by the client indicates correct understanding of
the teaching?
A) "I can stop taking my medications when I feel better."
B) "I will need to take my medications for at least 6 to 12 months."
C) "I do not need to worry about spreading TB to my family."
D) "I only need to take my medications until my cough stops."
Correct Answer: B) "I will need to take my medications for at least 6 to 12
months."
Rationale: TB treatment requires a prolonged course of multiple antibiotics for 6 to 12
months to completely eradicate the bacteria and prevent drug resistance. Clients must
complete the full course even if symptoms improve.
,3. A nurse is caring for a client with status asthmaticus. Which of the following
is the priority nursing intervention?
A) Administer prescribed bronchodilators
B) Assess the client's respiratory status
C) Apply continuous pulse oximetry
D) All of the above
Correct Answer: D) All of the above
Rationale: Status asthmaticus is a severe, life-threatening asthma exacerbation that
does not respond to standard treatment. The priority interventions include assessing
respiratory status, administering bronchodilators, and applying continuous pulse
oximetry to monitor oxygenation.
4. A client with COPD is prescribed a beta2-agonist bronchodilator. Which of
the following is the primary therapeutic effect of this medication?
A) Reduces airway inflammation
B) Relaxes bronchial smooth muscle
C) Thins pulmonary secretions
D) Suppresses the cough reflex
Correct Answer: B) Relaxes bronchial smooth muscle
Rationale: Beta2-agonists (such as albuterol and salmeterol) work by relaxing bronchial
smooth muscle, causing bronchodilation and improving airflow. They are not anti-
inflammatory, do not thin secretions, and do not suppress cough.
5. A nurse is teaching a client about proper use of an inhaled corticosteroid.
Which instruction should the nurse include?
A) "Use this medication as a rescue inhaler for acute symptoms."
B) "Rinse your mouth with water after each use."
C) "This medication will work immediately to relieve bronchospasm."
D) "You can stop using this medication once you feel better."
Correct Answer: B) "Rinse your mouth with water after each use."
Rationale: Inhaled corticosteroids can cause oral candidiasis (thrush). Rinsing the
mouth with water after each use helps prevent this complication. These medications
are for long-term control, not acute rescue.
6. Which of the following positions offers no benefit to relieve dyspnea in a
client with chronic air flow limitation?
A) Sitting at the edge of the chair, leaning forward with arms folded and resting on a
table
B) A low-semi reclining position with shoulders back and niche apart
C) Leaning forward in a chair with feet spread apart and elbows placed on knees
D) Upright with head slightly flexed, with feet spread apart and shoulders relaxed
Correct Answer: B) A low-semi reclining position with shoulders back and niche
apart
Rationale: The forward-leaning positions (A, C, D) help to optimize respiratory
,mechanics by using accessory muscles. A low-semi reclining position with shoulders
back does not facilitate breathing and may worsen dyspnea.
7. The nurse knows that which of the following tests is not used to identify
potential tuberculosis?
A) Sputum culture
B) Chest x-ray
C) Mantoux skin test
D) Saliva swab
Correct Answer: D) Saliva swab
Rationale: TB is diagnosed using sputum culture, chest x-ray, and Mantoux skin test. A
saliva swab is not a standard diagnostic test for tuberculosis.
8. The nurse has identified a nursing diagnosis of ineffective airway clearance
with bronchospasms for a client with pneumonia. What nursing intervention
will help to conduct refractive air clearance for a client with pneumonia?
A) Increase liters of humidified oxygen
B) Scheduled and PRN albuterol nebulizer bronchodilator treatment
C) Handheld bronchodilator always as needed
D) Prednisone via inhaler or IV to reduce the inflammation
Correct Answer: B) Scheduled and PRN albuterol nebulizer bronchodilator
treatment
Rationale: Albuterol is a short-acting beta2-agonist that relieves bronchospasms,
improving airway clearance. Scheduled and PRN nebulizer treatments are appropriate
for managing bronchospasms in pneumonia.
9. The nurse is teaching a client about post-rhinoplasty care. Which statements
by the client indicate an understanding of the instructions? (Select all that
apply)
A) I will have a very large dressing on my nose
B) I may have a very dry mouth and throat
C) There will be swelling that will cause a loss of sense of smell
D) I will have bruising around my eyes, nose and face
E) I should limit coughing, sneezing and blowing my nose
F) I will be able to breathe only from my nose
G) I should take a stool softener to prevent straining during bowel movements
Correct Answer: A, B, D, E, G
Rationale: After rhinoplasty, clients may have a large dressing, dry mouth from mouth
breathing, bruising around the eyes, and must avoid activities that increase facial
pressure (coughing, sneezing, straining). Loss of smell may occur but is not a normal
expected outcome, and clients may need to breathe through the mouth initially.
10. A 27-year-old male presents to the ER with difficulty breathing, respiratory
rate is 36 bpm, O2 is 85% on RA. Breaths are diminished bilaterally. Which of
, the following is a nursing intervention priority?
A) Complete patient history
B) Secure the airway
C) Draw labs
D) Start IV
Correct Answer: B) Secure the airway
Rationale: The priority in any patient with respiratory distress and hypoxia is to secure
the airway and ensure adequate oxygenation. History, labs, and IV access are
secondary.
11. A nurse is teaching a client with COPD about energy conservation. What
does the nurse advise the patient to avoid?
A) Performing activities at a relaxed pace through the day with rest periods
B) Working on activities that require using the arms at chest level or lower
C) Eating 3 large meals per day
D) Talking and performing activity separately
Correct Answer: C) Eating 3 large meals per day
Rationale: Large meals can distend the abdomen and increase dyspnea. Clients with
COPD should eat smaller, more frequent meals to conserve energy and reduce
respiratory effort.
12. Which statement by the patient indicates understanding about radiation
therapy for neck cancer?
A) I will need to wear sunscreen or protect my skin with clothing at all times; my
cousin may initially be hoarse but should improve over time
B) There are no side effects other than a hoarse voice
C) Radiation does not cause a dry mouth
D) My throat is not directly affected by radiation
Correct Answer: A) I will need to wear sunscreen or protect my skin with
clothing at all times; my cousin may initially be hoarse but should improve over
time
Rationale: Radiation therapy to the neck can cause skin sensitivity, hoarseness, dry
mouth, and throat effects. Skin protection is essential.
13. Which intervention promotes comfort in dyspnea management for a patient
with lung cancer?
A) Administer morphine on a routine, scheduled basis
B) Place the patient in a supine position with a pillow under the knees and legs
C) Encourage coughing, deep breathing and independence ambulation
D) Provide nitroglycerine as prescribed/provide supplemental oxygen via nasal
cannula or mask
Correct Answer: A) Administer morphine on a routine, scheduled basis
Rationale: Morphine is effective for relieving dyspnea and pain in lung cancer patients.
Scheduled administration provides consistent comfort.