NURS 190 WEEK 3 LUNGS & THORAX (RESPIRATORY) / BREASTS & AXILLAE
2026/2027 | COMPLETE NURSING STUDY GUIDE | HIGH-YIELD PRACTICE
QUESTIONS | CORRECT ANSWERS
1. What type of breath sound is characterized by the presence of fluid in the
alveoli and is often associated with pulmonary edema?
Coarse crackles
Wheezes
Friction rub
Rhonchi
2. Which patient position is best for thoracic auscultation?
Lateral recumbent
Sitting upright
Prone
Supine
3. Describe how a pneumothorax affects lung expansion during respiration.
A pneumothorax increases lung volume, allowing for equal expansion
of both lungs.
A pneumothorax causes fluid accumulation in the lungs, affecting gas
exchange.
A pneumothorax has no effect on lung expansion during respiration.
A pneumothorax causes air to enter the pleural space, leading to
collapse of the affected lung and resulting in unequal expansion
during breathing.
,4. Irregular pattern, rate, and depth of breathing with intermittent periods of
apnea; results from increased intracranial pressure, is known as what
breathing pattern?
Biot (ataxic) respirations
Central neurogenic hyperventilation
Agonal gasping
Kussmaul respirations
5. A patient presents with sudden shortness of breath and a cough producing
pink, frothy sputum after a recent heart attack. What nursing intervention
should be prioritized based on the assessment findings?
Encourage deep breathing exercises
Provide a bronchodilator
Administer oxygen therapy
Initiate chest physiotherapy
6. Describe the significance of coarse crackles in a patient who has recently
experienced a myocardial infarction and is exhibiting respiratory distress.
Coarse crackles indicate a need for immediate intubation.
Coarse crackles suggest bronchospasm and are unrelated to
myocardial infarction.
Coarse crackles indicate fluid accumulation in the lungs, which can
occur after a myocardial infarction due to heart failure.
Coarse crackles are normal breath sounds in healthy individuals.
,7. In a scenario where a patient presents with absent breath sounds on one side
of the chest, what should be the immediate nursing intervention?
Reassure the patient that everything is normal.
Administer bronchodilators immediately.
Schedule a follow-up appointment for next week.
Perform a thorough assessment for possible pneumothorax.
8. The nurse finds a client SOB, anxious and lying in supine position. Which
action should the nurse take first?
Obtain a set of vital signs on the client.
Obtain an order for a nebulizer breathing treatment for the client.
Call the physician and give an update on the client.
Elevate the HOB and reposition the client.
Administer high-flow oxygen to the client.
9. Describe the significance of identifying rhonchi during a lung assessment and
what it may indicate about the client's respiratory condition.
Rhonchi are associated with pleural effusion.
Rhonchi indicate the presence of mucus in the airways, suggesting
potential obstruction or respiratory issues.
Rhonchi suggest a need for immediate intubation.
Rhonchi are normal sounds indicating healthy lung function.
10. If a nurse hears bronchial crackles in a patient with pneumonia, what
immediate nursing intervention should be prioritized?
Schedule a chest X-ray to confirm the diagnosis.
, Encourage the patient to perform deep breathing exercises.
Administer supplemental oxygen as needed to improve
oxygenation.
Increase the patient's fluid intake to thin secretions.
11. Describe the significance of a resonant sound during lung percussion in a
respiratory assessment.
A resonant sound indicates a collapsed lung.
A resonant sound indicates healthy lung tissue and normal air-filled
lungs.
A resonant sound is associated with lung tumors.
A resonant sound suggests fluid accumulation in the lungs.
12. Describe the impact of a pneumothorax on lung function and patient health.
A pneumothorax primarily affects the heart, not the lungs.
A pneumothorax can lead to partial or complete lung collapse,
impairing gas exchange and causing respiratory distress.
A pneumothorax increases lung capacity and improves oxygenation.
A pneumothorax has no significant impact on lung function.
13. During a respiratory assessment, how would you utilize the 5 imaginary
vertical lines to evaluate a patient with suspected pneumonia?
The lines would be used to measure the patient's respiratory rate and
depth.
You would use the lines to determine the patient's oxygen saturation
levels.
2026/2027 | COMPLETE NURSING STUDY GUIDE | HIGH-YIELD PRACTICE
QUESTIONS | CORRECT ANSWERS
1. What type of breath sound is characterized by the presence of fluid in the
alveoli and is often associated with pulmonary edema?
Coarse crackles
Wheezes
Friction rub
Rhonchi
2. Which patient position is best for thoracic auscultation?
Lateral recumbent
Sitting upright
Prone
Supine
3. Describe how a pneumothorax affects lung expansion during respiration.
A pneumothorax increases lung volume, allowing for equal expansion
of both lungs.
A pneumothorax causes fluid accumulation in the lungs, affecting gas
exchange.
A pneumothorax has no effect on lung expansion during respiration.
A pneumothorax causes air to enter the pleural space, leading to
collapse of the affected lung and resulting in unequal expansion
during breathing.
,4. Irregular pattern, rate, and depth of breathing with intermittent periods of
apnea; results from increased intracranial pressure, is known as what
breathing pattern?
Biot (ataxic) respirations
Central neurogenic hyperventilation
Agonal gasping
Kussmaul respirations
5. A patient presents with sudden shortness of breath and a cough producing
pink, frothy sputum after a recent heart attack. What nursing intervention
should be prioritized based on the assessment findings?
Encourage deep breathing exercises
Provide a bronchodilator
Administer oxygen therapy
Initiate chest physiotherapy
6. Describe the significance of coarse crackles in a patient who has recently
experienced a myocardial infarction and is exhibiting respiratory distress.
Coarse crackles indicate a need for immediate intubation.
Coarse crackles suggest bronchospasm and are unrelated to
myocardial infarction.
Coarse crackles indicate fluid accumulation in the lungs, which can
occur after a myocardial infarction due to heart failure.
Coarse crackles are normal breath sounds in healthy individuals.
,7. In a scenario where a patient presents with absent breath sounds on one side
of the chest, what should be the immediate nursing intervention?
Reassure the patient that everything is normal.
Administer bronchodilators immediately.
Schedule a follow-up appointment for next week.
Perform a thorough assessment for possible pneumothorax.
8. The nurse finds a client SOB, anxious and lying in supine position. Which
action should the nurse take first?
Obtain a set of vital signs on the client.
Obtain an order for a nebulizer breathing treatment for the client.
Call the physician and give an update on the client.
Elevate the HOB and reposition the client.
Administer high-flow oxygen to the client.
9. Describe the significance of identifying rhonchi during a lung assessment and
what it may indicate about the client's respiratory condition.
Rhonchi are associated with pleural effusion.
Rhonchi indicate the presence of mucus in the airways, suggesting
potential obstruction or respiratory issues.
Rhonchi suggest a need for immediate intubation.
Rhonchi are normal sounds indicating healthy lung function.
10. If a nurse hears bronchial crackles in a patient with pneumonia, what
immediate nursing intervention should be prioritized?
Schedule a chest X-ray to confirm the diagnosis.
, Encourage the patient to perform deep breathing exercises.
Administer supplemental oxygen as needed to improve
oxygenation.
Increase the patient's fluid intake to thin secretions.
11. Describe the significance of a resonant sound during lung percussion in a
respiratory assessment.
A resonant sound indicates a collapsed lung.
A resonant sound indicates healthy lung tissue and normal air-filled
lungs.
A resonant sound is associated with lung tumors.
A resonant sound suggests fluid accumulation in the lungs.
12. Describe the impact of a pneumothorax on lung function and patient health.
A pneumothorax primarily affects the heart, not the lungs.
A pneumothorax can lead to partial or complete lung collapse,
impairing gas exchange and causing respiratory distress.
A pneumothorax increases lung capacity and improves oxygenation.
A pneumothorax has no significant impact on lung function.
13. During a respiratory assessment, how would you utilize the 5 imaginary
vertical lines to evaluate a patient with suspected pneumonia?
The lines would be used to measure the patient's respiratory rate and
depth.
You would use the lines to determine the patient's oxygen saturation
levels.
