Respiratory med surg exam review questions with correct answers

The nurse explains that the purpose of mucus is to: a. warm the air entering the lungs. b. trap particles and bacteria. c. protect the cilia. d. clean the sinus cavity. CORRECT ANSWER B Mucus traps particles and bacteria that may be in the inspired air. A patient with emphysema presents to the emergency room with severe dyspnea; O2 saturation is 74%, pulse is 120, and respirations are 26 . The nurse positions the patient in high Fowler. What action should the nurse take next? a. Collect a sputum specimen. b. Coach the patient in pursed-lip breathing. c. Give oxygen at 5 L/min by nasal cannula. d. Ensure patent intravenous (IV) access. CORRECT ANSWER B Coaching in pursed-lip breathing will open the respiratory tree with negative pressure. Oxygen given at such a high concentration will cause an emphysemic patient to stop breathing. Collecting a sputum specimen and ensuring patent IV access are appropriate interventions that should be performed after the patient's dyspnea is addressed. The nurse explains that the mechanism that triggers rate and depth of respiration is based on which factor?